Congressmen John Yarmuth and Brett Guthrie have formed the official and bi-partisan Congressional Bourbon Caucus (CBC).

“This caucus offers a solid base of bipartisan support for one of Kentucky’s most important industries and largest employers,” said Congressman Yarmuth. “Congressman Guthrie and I both agreed it was important to create a working group that would advocate for this critical part of the Commonwealth’s economy.”

Yarmuth’s 3rd District is Louisville. Republican Brett Guthrie’s 2nd District covers a larger but less populated area that includes Bardstown, Owensboro and Bowling Green.

The Kentucky Distillers Association says that three of Kentucky’s four other US Representatives have signed on as well. They are Ben Chandler (D-KY 6th), Geoff Davis (R-KY 4th) and Ed Whitfield (R-KY 1st). It describes the Bourbon Caucus as a

“key advocacy group to promote and protect bourbon”

and adds another statistic: $100 million in taxes paid.
Fred Noe of Jim Beam is also quoted.

“This is a great step for the Bourbon industry and ‘America’s Native Spirit,’” said Frederick ‘Fred’ Booker Noe III, seventh-generation Jim Beam family distiller. “The Congressional Bourbon Caucus recognizes Bourbon’s unique place in American history and its positive impact on the economy.”