JIM BEAM Celebrates Industry First with 15 Millionth Barrel

Jim Beam Bourbon, the world's No. 1 bourbon, continues to outpace the industry, filling its 15 millionth barrel of bourbon since the end of Prohibition. The milestone barrel - a first for Kentucky distilleries - was personally filled and sealed by Seventh Generation Master Distiller Fred Noe and his son Freddie Noe, Eighth Generation Beam Distiller, at the brand's flagship distillery in Clermont, Ky.

"Fifteen million is a big number, but we're a big bourbon," said Fred Noe. "When Jim Beam, my great grandfather, filled his first barrel of whiskey at our Clermont distillery after Prohibition, I doubt he would have predicted that one day we would be a brand known and enjoyed the world over."

The historic milestone, achieved less than two years after the filling of Jim Beam's 14 millionth barrel - the shortest period of time between milestone barrel fills - serves as a testament to the continued global bourbon boom. The growing momentum can be attributed to continued strong sales spurred by rising global demand and the excellent performance of the entire Jim Beam portfolio across the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia.

"We're reaching these milestones faster and faster," said Craig Christenson, vice president global marketing, Jim Beam. "From Russia and Germany to Japan and China - not to mention the United States where Jim Beam is gaining substantial market share, bourbon has become the spirit of choice around the world and we're happy to oblige them by making more. We're the first to reach 15 million and we're not slowing down."

The 15 millionth barrel, signed by employees at the company's Clermont, Boston and Frankfort plants, will join the nearly 2.3 million barrels of bourbon currently aging in Jim Beam's rackhouses across the Commonwealth. It will be stored inside the distillery's historic rackhouse D, a nine-story warehouse rebuilt by Jim Beam after Prohibition on the Clermont distillery grounds. The rackhouse is open to visitors as part of the Jim Beam® American Stillhouse tour.

Consumer Demand Fuels Category Growth

According to the Kentucky Distillers' Association, bourbon is now an $8.5 billion state industry, supporting more than 17,500 jobs and generating more than $1.8 million in tax revenues annually.

At one time known for one primary product, the iconic Jim Beam portfolio now offers a wide range of award-winning expressions including Jim Beam Black®, Jim Beam Distillers Cut, Jim Beam Double Oak, Jim Beam Devil's Cut, Jim Beam® Single Barrel, Jim Beam Bonded, Jim Beam Rye and Jim Beam Distiller's Masterpiece.

Jim Beam has continued to expand its operations in Kentucky, fueled by a commitment to innovate and meet surging global consumer demand.

For more information on Jim Beam, follow Jim Beam on Twitter (@jimbeam) and Instagram (@jimbeamofficial) or visit http://www.jimbeam.com/en-us.

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As the world's third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company's brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker's Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher's, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Pinnacle vodka, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good. Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit https://www.beamsuntory.com/ and http://www.drinksmart.com/.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jim Beam