Bardstown Bourbon Company Cuts Production Amid Industry Downturn and Legal Challenges

Bardstown Bourbon Company, a prominent Kentucky distillery, has reduced production to a single shift amid industry-wide challenges. This decision follows a gender discrimination lawsuit filed in February by former VP of human resources Sylvia Sanders against the distillery, its former president Peter Marino, and owner Pritzker Private Capital. Marino stepped down from his presidency in March but remains as an advisor. The distillery's parent company, Lofted Spirits, also oversees Green River Distillery, which has shifted to an 'as needed' production model and laid off its head distiller. Lofted Spirits CEO Mark Erwin noted that rum production for export will constitute 50% of Green River's business this year. Industry context includes MGP pausing production at two Kentucky distilleries due to falling profits. Despite these setbacks, Bardstown Bourbon Company released Cascadia Garryana Oak Barrel Finish, a unique whiskey aged in garryana oak barrels, available for $100 at their facilities. The distillery countersued Sanders in March for breach of contract, seeking to prevent further disclosures of confidential information.