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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsKentucky Faces Massive Job Loss as 3 Major Whiskey Distilleries Go Bankrupt (good time for Canada to tariff them)
Because fuck 'em.
Kentucky's bourbon industry is worth $9 billion annually. However, it is facing unprecedented turmoil.
Three major distilleries filed for bankruptcy within eight months, affecting the industry and thousands of jobs in America's whiskey heartland. The industry supports over 23,000 Kentucky workers and has an annual payroll of $1.6 billion.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/kentucky-faces-massive-job-loss-as-3-major-whiskey-distilleries-go-bankrupt/ss-AA1JITy1
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dem4decades
(13,736 posts)cadoman
(1,617 posts)"...November 2024 and July 2025"
Garrard County was a recent entry, starting up in 2024.
https://www.fredminnick.com/2025/04/04/garrard-county-distilling-closes-faces-2-2-million-lawsuit/
Kentucky Owl parent Stoli's story is even more wild, as it apparently boils down to shutdown through international Russian mafia tactics??
https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/02/business/stoli-vodka-usa-bankruptcy/index.html
Luca Mariano was another recent entry that just flopped.
https://www.kentucky.com/lexgoeat/bourbon/article310886095.html
Weird how a clickbait article framed as a tariff issue had nothing to do with tariffs at all. Still, lots of interesting data that for some reason was nowhere in the article. 
ForgedCrank
(3,034 posts)now we are actively rooting for American job losses and internal failure?
"Fuck em" ? WTF, these are Americans
Dan
(4,995 posts)What they are is a throw-back to the Confederacy and hate.
SO, like someone else pointed out - FAFO, it’s what they voted for with Trump and Mitch.
of 10 people in KY voted against Trump. And in the cities where these distilleries are generally at, the ratio is much higher in our favor. Those people lost their jobs. HAHAHAHAH! really?
It's not a mystery why our numbers continue to slide when we do shit like cheer when fellow Americans lose their jobs. Is this how we win friends and influence?
But I suppose we can go into the next election telling the other side that we hate them and can't wait to laugh at them if they lose their jobs. Surely that will turn things around for us. You know, like calling the confederate racists. No way they will reject us then!
And BTW, KY was about 70% Union during that war, many of them Black Americans... and some of their ancestors could have just lost their jobs. Hooray? I don't think so.
Nigrum Cattus
(1,242 posts)They will NEVER vote for anyone other than a Repug.
Also, tsf gave a speech where he said, very proudly,
that he "hates" Dems. We are down to us or them now.
ForgedCrank
(3,034 posts)bring it up, I think it's a dumb reference almost 200 years later. I was simply responding to it
yardwork
(68,988 posts)Frankly, your comments are ill informed and ill advised. Do better.
TnDem
(1,390 posts)All smaller distilleries and one or two of the bankruptcy proceedings started in 2024.
Swede
(38,443 posts)I then mentioned it would be a good time to hit them with tariffs. You know, to add to the misery in Kentucky, a very red state. Karma.
TnDem
(1,390 posts)..and is a production issue with a few small distilleries that are ending in Chapter 11.
These chapter 11's started in 2024, thus predating tariffs which is the thrust of the post.
Swede
(38,443 posts)I posted it and said Kentucky would be a good target for Canadian tariffs. They've hit booze before in red states, do it again.
The “HAHAHAHA…” is from you.
There is a concern about the people that voted against the GOP living in Kentucky.
The rest of them (MAGA) can go straight to hell as far as I am concerned.
Is that clear enough for you?
telling that huge voting block to FAFO, mock them when they lose their jobs, the tell them to go straight to hell. Then you can act all perplexed next election when they vote for the opposition--- AGAIN. "Gee, how can so many people vote for that asshole? All I did was dehumanize them, call them stupid rubes, racists, nazis and fascists for years. It's beyond me why they don't vote for my platform."
And no, the gloating was in the OP, the "hahahaha" is me mocking it or being so tone deaf.
Is that clear enough for YOU?
W_HAMILTON
(10,110 posts)I grew up in a Republican household and remember waking my mom up with delight in 2000 when Bush was announced as the winner of the presidential election.
Needless to say, the next few years of the Bush administration led me to think for myself and I realized how terrible both his administration and Republicans in general were.
I saw people talking shit about Republicans, and you know what I thought? GOOD. FUCK 'EM. Because they weren't talking about me. I was no longer a Republican-supporting brainwashed fool.
Moral of the story: if people continue to be harmed by Republican policies and yet they continue to support Republicans and the policies that are destroying their life, GOOD. FUCK 'EM. It means they still identify with those actively hurting their family and friends, in which case, they have more learning to do -- more finding out, if you will -- till they eventually learn their lesson.
Showing these people compassion will not win their votes -- in fact, it will make it even easier for them to continue to vote for Republicans because it eases the pain that Republicans are doing to them. Fuck that. Let them feel the consequences of their vote. As someone I regularly watch says, "hope (they) have the day they voted for."
Gimpyknee
(1,025 posts)There sure are a lot of people here who don’t know there are a lot of Democrats living in Red states.
Bettie
(19,324 posts)and, frankly, people need to feel actual pain caused by their votes to get anything to change.
Unfortunately, that means the rest of us are going to feel it too.
But, it has to happen.
I feel for people who lose their jobs.
To be more precise: I feel for the people who didn't vote for fascism thinking that other people would lose their jobs, but they personally, would be just fine due to devotion to their ugly orange god .
Cheezoholic
(3,545 posts)It's going to hurt me and others like me but that's fine. Sacrifices must be made to save our Republic
B.See
(7,869 posts)face the consequences of their own actions, especially when their intent was to do harm to other people. It's called Karma. And such people don't deserve to be treated nicely. Kamala tried to be nice. Tried to appeal to their better selves. What'd that get her?
Mysterian
(6,191 posts)one of the most vile, corrupt politicians of our age.
Change will not happen for these people until they feel the consequences...
Aristus
(71,735 posts)Every picked-upon kid in elementary school history knows that about their bully. They aren't suddenly going to be nice if you are. They just see that as evidence that you're weak enough that they can keep pummeling you.
MAGAts, bullies, and all-around nasty shitbirds only clean up their act if they personally experience setbacks; and sometimes, not even then.
This is Kentucky. One of the feckless "We'll stay with the Union if you let us keep our slaves" states.
think I'm starting to understand that position. "I can't stand how they behave, so in turn, I'm going to behave exactly like them."
Makes total sense to me.
Irish_Dem
(80,056 posts)If evil is allowed to flourish with no consequences, our planet is doomed.
Nimble_Idea
(2,849 posts)
Maru Kitteh
(31,290 posts)Sometimes, people get what they asked for.
ForgedCrank
(3,034 posts)you really destroyed my illogical position with that well thought out argument.
I'll consider myself to be standing corrected.
Na, I'm just kidding. I refuse to join in on mob hate. I also don't fall for the partisan headlines that are nearly all dishonest in one form or another. I think for myself. I'm a civil person, not just someone who pretends that they are and then asks every day "is he dead yet" or some other atrocious or hateful thing. I live what I promote as an example the best I that can, and the people I hate can be counted on one hand with half of the fingers.
Even with Trump in charge, I pray for the best for my country and it's citizens, and I never hope for disaster or misfortune for any reason, most especially over political leverage. And I don't mock people over their voting preferences or personal losses. I may strongly disagree with their ideology in general, but they are fellow humans with just as much of a right to individuality as I am.
But hey, that's just me.
BannonsLiver
(20,299 posts)I know where you’re coming from but that POV is about a decade past its sell by date.
ForgedCrank
(3,034 posts)anything about some of them being nasty people. Some of them absolutely are. I just suggest that we don't behave exactly like them if we ever want to have a hope of digging out of this hole we are in.
BannonsLiver
(20,299 posts)We’re in the death rattle stage. There’s no going back now.
BannonsLiver
(20,299 posts)Ritabert
(2,030 posts)
Ritabert
(2,030 posts)Baitball Blogger
(51,775 posts)Mitch McConnell.
Hey, at least you all have that surplus whisky to drink to drown your sorrows.
Gimpyknee
(1,025 posts)What’s your answer? All Dems should move out of Red states.
I fear our nation is helplessly divided.
Nimble_Idea
(2,849 posts)stinky sheets.
LetMyPeopleVote
(175,409 posts)
Melon
(1,115 posts)All the distilleries ramped up production the last 10 years from high demand. Due to the prices rising and lack of supply, hundreds of new brands came on the market. The Canadian situation didn’t help, but this is the bourbon supply contracting to meet demand. Same thing if not worse is happening right now with Tequila producers in Mexico.
eppur_se_muova
(41,066 posts)Last edited Mon Aug 4, 2025, 05:43 PM - Edit history (1)
stories, at top, then maudlin feel-good stories below that. Why is this cultural toxic dump still around ?
ETA -- there was an announcement that MSN was shutting down in January -- this PAST Jan -- what (didn't) happened ?
cadoman
(1,617 posts)There's really no need to link to major aggregators any more. They've fired all their staff, and as you've correctly observed: fill their site with trash, ads, and clickbait.
I would enjoy seeing Breaking News expanded to be more inclusive of regional news sources and even individual reporting. The AP/Reuters/NYT filter really isn't adding anything these days, and clearly isn't protecting us from clickbait or misinformation. Often times you need to dig outside of what they include to get the full story anyway.
eppur_se_muova
(41,066 posts)***
“We filed to maximize the value of the assets for all stakeholders,” Viola said in a statement July 18. “Luca Mariano Distillery and LMD Holdings have a successful business model, have weathered the prior economic challenges in our industry, and are poised to emerge successfully, ideally with the support of its employees, customers, community and creditors."
The Chapter 11 filing was made in order to delay a judge's order to push the company into a receivership, where it likely would have been sold.
In June, the Kentucky Herald-Leader reported that the distillery was facing multiple liens over unpaid debts of over $3.8 million. It is not the only emerging Kentucky distillery facing debt issues, according to the paper.
A lien for $1.7 million was filed in May against Whiskey House of Kentucky in Elizabethtown.
And in April, Garrard County Distillery, in Lancaster, was placed in receivership amid $2.2 million in liens. In all, Truist Bank claims Garrard County owes it more than $26 million.
***
LOTS more, mostly about startup craft bourbon maker Luca Mariano: https://www.thestreet.com/retail/another-bourbon-and-whiskey-maker-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy
brush
(61,033 posts)when he became president. The bankruptcies happened in 2024 before the tariffs.
Were these distilleries already in trouble?
Bernardo de La Paz
(60,320 posts)TnDem
(1,390 posts)Small companies and the Chapter 11 proceedings started in 2024.
Clickbait and confirmation bias.
brush
(61,033 posts)ForgedCrank
(3,034 posts)to inject facts. It'll only get you attacked.
brush
(61,033 posts)And I'm no fool. I'm at an undisclosed location.
ForgedCrank
(3,034 posts)You totally made me laugh. I'm constantly covered in blisters from commenting here.
There are some things I just can't walk past, it's a personal flaw I think.
brush
(61,033 posts)Dan
(4,995 posts)Then you feel the pain immediately. Maybe telling Canadians that they should be our 51st State kind of backfires so wisely Canadians voted with their dollars. No American booze.
brush
(61,033 posts)
wolfie001
(7,173 posts)I can promise you that! 
stollen
(1,046 posts)Is anyone surprised at the outcome?
Bernardo de La Paz
(60,320 posts)LauraInLA
(2,248 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(60,320 posts)MrsCheaplaugh
(266 posts)Also, I have a paper bag over my head because my premier is a cow.
Botany
(76,464 posts)…. people all over the world are now actively trying not to buy U.S. products because they don’t like Trump and how
America has gone from a trusted ally and a friend to being on the wrong side of everything. FAFO dumb ass KY and
Tennessee voters.
TnDem
(1,390 posts)The article and comments named the three distillers. I have never heard of them, so they must be smaller players....Bankruptcies were announced in November 2024 and are being finalized in July 2025.
Garrard County Distilling, Kentucky Owl's parent Stoli Group, and Luca Mariano Distillery filed for bankruptcy between November 2024 and July 2025.
Jacson6
(1,785 posts)TnDem
(1,390 posts)They sound more like startups to me...33 employees? That's nothing. This has nothing to do with the majors.
I have toured the Bulleit County cask houses...Heaven Hill is the main distiller in Louisville and they basically have a dozen brands under that label like "Maker's Mark", "Evan Williams" and many more.
Cheezoholic
(3,545 posts)has busted. You are correct in pointing out this article is just clickbait. When I drank I loved a good single barrel bourbon. One of my favorites I could get fifths (I'm old school lol) of 24 year old single barrel for 40.00 back in 2005. By 2010, when the yuppie's started doing to bourbon what they did to beer and food in the 90's, cigars at the turn of the century, they did to bourbon, making it cool and thinking they were high class nickel millionaires in a James Bond movie and basically willing to pay a far higher price, that same 24 year old bottle cost over 100 dollars. People in Northern Cali know how this game is played as many of the finest craft brews that had been around for decades were swallowed up by the corporate fat cats after the craft beer boom.
I get craft brewing of spirits of all types, respect it and supported small independents (like the distiller I mentioned). But once the HOA crowd makes it a fad the prices, of whatever it is, are just ridiculous. And these small craft brewers who you may support out of the gate almost always sell out to a conglomerate once they have a brand and cash in. Quality goes to shit. Suddenly everything's a blended batch of hogwash.
Just my humble opinion.
kimbutgar
(26,898 posts)That pretzel of their trying to blame Democrats also will be major twisted. I hope the Governor points ou that this is on the orange pedo monster.
MichMan
(16,699 posts)Lovie777
(21,895 posts)
Norrrm
(4,088 posts)
KentuckyWoman
(7,375 posts)One of the slides says private equity has been buying up distilleries but wants to shed the debt. Not the whole picture but that's part of it...
MichMan
(16,699 posts)Shedding debt?
Paladin
(32,327 posts)GreatGazoo
(4,493 posts)Brown liquors like whiskey are the most carcinogenic, most unhealthy of all alcohol options.