WASHINGTON (May 25, 2011)— Today, Congressman Geoff Davis (R-KY) and Congressman Ben Chandler (D-KY) introduced H.R. 1986, the Aged Distilled Spirits Competitiveness Act of 2011 to amend the tax code to end the inequitable tax treatment of aged distilled spirits such as bourbon. 

Inequality in the current rules forces distillers of aged spirits to carry additional inventory costs over the long periods of time required to create these products.  This additional expense puts aged spirits at a competitive disadvantage against other distilled products in which natural aging is not required. 

“Bourbon is a signature Kentucky product throughout the nation and around the world.  The bourbon industry supports thousands of Kentucky jobs and this bill is an important step in leveling the playing field in the growing distilled spirits industry,” said Davis. “It was a pleasure to work with my friend and fellow Kentuckian, Congressman Chandler, on this important issue to protect jobs in one of the Commonwealth’s signature industries.”

“A part of Kentucky for hundreds of years, bourbon is a key piece of Kentucky’s brand,” Chandler said. “The bourbon industry brings in billions of dollars in economic activity and supports thousands of Kentucky jobs.  I was proud to work with my friend and fellow congressman, Geoff Davis, to make sure that bourbon is treated fairly in the tax code.  As I have said before, we need to nurture the golden goose, not kill it.”

In addition to Davis and Chandler, the bill is supported by the entire Kentucky House delegation including Congressmen Hal Rogers (R-KY), Ed Whitfield (R-KY), John Yarmuth (D-KY), and Brett Guthrie (R-KY), as well as Congressman Charles Boustany (R-LA).

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