Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced new job creation within Kentucky’s bourbon industry as Pernod Ricard USA LLC, which produces leading brands such as Jefferson’s, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Absolut Vodka, Glenlivet and Chivas Brothers, will establish a new distillery in Marion County, creating 55 full-time jobs with a $196 million investment. The project has potential to grow to a $250 million investment across 10 years.
“The commonwealth’s bourbon industry continues to gain momentum and grow to new heights,” said Gov. Beshear. “This investment by Pernod Ricard is a welcome addition to the Lebanon and Marion County community and will reinforce our bourbon industry and set us apart in our continued sustainability efforts. I want to thank the leaders of Pernod Ricard for their vision to grow in Kentucky, and I look forward to seeing their success in the coming years.”
Leaders at Pernod Ricard will construct a new 75,000-square-foot facility on a 265-acre site in Lebanon. The site will include a distillery, drying operation, three warehouses and a world-class visitor center. Work on the facility is expected to begin in January 2023 and be completed by July 2024. The Marion County facility will be fully carbon neutral and will have zero fossil fuel consumption to produce bourbon. Pernod Ricard is only the second distillery in Kentucky and North America to make this claim. Pernod Ricard will be a 7.5 million proof-gallon distillery, producing 115,000 barrels annually. The company’s purpose for the project is threefold: to build the most sustainable distillery in North America, which supports Pernod Ricard’s fundamental focus on sustainability, support their rapidly growing Jefferson’s brand, and support their existing American whiskey operations in West Virginia, Texas and Kentucky.
Ann Mukherjee, chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard North America, commented on the brand’s potential.
“American whiskey is booming, and Jefferson’s growth has been phenomenal,” said Mukherjee. “We’re very bullish on the brand’s potential, and we’re committed to making our new Jefferson’s facility one of the most exemplary and sustainable distilleries in the world in order to achieve it.”
Pernod Ricard was founded in 1975 from the merger of two French anise-based spirits companies: Pernod, created in 1805, and Ricard, created in 1932. Pernod Ricard holds one of the most comprehensive portfolios within the industry, with 240 premium brands available in over 160 countries, including Jameson Irish Whiskey, Absolut Vodka, Glenlivet and Chivas Brothers. A global leader in wine and spirits, with 18,500 employees worldwide, Pernod Ricard will be building one of the largest LEED-certified distilleries globally and the first to locate in the commonwealth.
Pernod Ricard’s planned project builds on recent bourbon and spirits growth across Kentucky. Since the start of the Beshear administration, the commonwealth’s spirits industry has roughly 60 new-location or expansion projects totaling over $2.5 billion in planned investments and creating more than 1,300 announced full-time jobs.
State Sen. Jimmy Higdon spoke on the importance of new investments for the region.
“It is certainly good news to hear of Pernod Ricard’s location in Lebanon/Marion County. New jobs and investment benefit our community, region and state,” said Sen. Higdon.
State Rep. Michael “Sarge” Pollock thanked the people who made this project possible.
“This is tremendous news for our community and proves what we’ve known all along – that Lebanon and Marion County has so much to offer in terms of quality of life and opportunity,” Rep. Pollock said. “I appreciate all the work of those who made it possible.”
Marion County Judge/Executive David R. Daugherty welcomed new industry to the area.
“Marion County is thrilled by Pernod Ricard locating in our area,” said Judge Daugherty. “The fact that a new distillery will bring increased job opportunities for our residents is always such a great benefit for our county. The distillery will, no doubt, become a tourist destination that will showcase to so many more visitors the great people and way of life in Marion County that we get to experience daily. We are so excited to share this with tourists visiting our community.”
Lebanon Mayor Gary D. Crenshaw spoke on the economic impact the project will have on the community.
“The investment by Pernod Ricard in our community will have a long-lasting positive economic impact on Lebanon and Marion County,” Mayor Crenshaw said. “Their location here energizes the dynamics for increased tourism, restaurant and hotel expansion. We’re grateful for this opportunity to partner with an industry leader to create something great here in Marion County.”