Jim Beam to pause production

Jim Beam said it will pause production at its main Kentucky distillery for all of next year, as it faces uncertainty, in part due to President Donald Trump’s trade policies and changing drinking habits in the US.

Distillers need to maintain how much bourbon to produce since the drink ages in barrels, which the state taxes. The brand’s Japanese owner, Suntory Global Spirits, said the shutdown will give the firm “the opportunity to invest in site enhancements.”

The company has more than 1,000 people across its sites in Kentucky.