Crunch Time for Craft Distillers

U.S. craft distillers are facing a crisis, with an average of one
distillery shutting down each week over the past year. Inflation
and cutbacks in consumer spending get part of the blame, but
there’s also a distribution crisis. Just three companies control
the route to market for many craft distillers, and their focus is
on high-volume brands as opposed to the low-volume craft
distillers. Margie Lehrman of the American Craft Spirits
Association is one of the leading advocates for “direct to
consumer shipping,” which would allow distilleries to ship their
whiskies directly to consumers. The option is only available in
10 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, and wholesalers have
vehemently opposed any attempts to expand that number. We’ll talk
with Margie Lehrman on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the
news, economic headwinds cut into sales for both Pernod Ricard
and Brown-Forman, while Angel’s Envy co-founder Wes Henderson
plans to build a $93 million dollar distillery in Kentucky.