The maker of the popular Kentucky bourbon brand Jim Beam will indefinitely suspend operations at its flagship distillery starting in January 2026, company officials told the Louisville Courier-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, on Dec. 21.
The distillery, located on the James B. Beam campus in Clermont, Kentucky, will remain closed until Beam Suntory officials “take the opportunity to invest in site enhancements,” an official statement said.
“We are constantly evaluating production levels that best meet consumer demand and recently met with our team to discuss 2026 production volumes,” company officials said in a statement provided to the Courier-Journal.
The company’s Fred B. Noe Craft Distillery, also located in Clermont, is scheduled to remain open until 2026. Operations will also continue at the Booker Noe Distillery in Boston, Kentucky.
The Clermont campus visitor center and restaurant, The Kitchen Table, are scheduled to open throughout 2026, company officials said.
Officials have not announced any layoffs due to distillery closures. Beam Suntory employs approximately 1,000 people in Kentucky.
Contact reporter Leo Bertucci (formerly Twitter X at lbertucci@gannett.com or @leober2chee).
