Bill backed by distilleries advances

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — There’s tea and soft drinks but no bourbon on the drink menu at the Jim Beam Distillery restaurant in central Kentucky. That could change if a bill winding through the Kentucky General Assembly becomes law.

A bill advanced by the House Licensing and Occupations Committee on Wednesday would allow distilleries to sell their own products by the drink on their premises. Visitors could sip a small batch bourbon or a bourbon cocktail after tours or at special events at the distilleries

Ken Lewis with New Riff Distillery in Newport says the bill would give distilleries a new income stream.

Bourbon tourism has become a big business in Kentucky. Tourists made nearly 725,000 visits to distilleries along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour last year.