Standing beside a row of white oak barrels filled with aging Kentucky bourbon, Victor Yarbrough, co-founder of Brough Brothers Distillery, scrolls through his laptop, reading a stream of emails. The messages are overwhelmingly negative—some angry, others explicit—targeting both his business and broader trade policies.
“You are heading for a full recession in the states with these moronic tariffs,” one email reads. Another takes a direct jab at Republican policies.
The backlash began after Yarbrough appeared in Canadian and U.S. media discussing how tariffs have impacted his distillery—the only Black-owned bourbon producer in Kentucky. He believes the anger reflects more than just trade disputes. “It’s not really about tariffs; it’s more about the sovereignty of Canada,” he says, recalling fond memories of visiting Toronto.
The tensions stem from retaliatory tariffs imposed after the U.S. placed levies on Canadian goods. In response, some Canadian provinces pulled American whiskey, including Kentucky bourbon, from store shelves. The dispute came at a critical time for Brough Brothers, which was negotiating a deal to export 10,000 bottles to New Brunswick before talks were abruptly paused.
Kentucky’s bourbon industry was already struggling. Brown-Forman, producer of Jack Daniel’s and Woodford Reserve, announced a 12% workforce reduction in January, affecting 200 Louisville-based jobs. Governor Andy Beshear warns that continued tariffs could lead to more layoffs, not just in bourbon production but also in agriculture and manufacturing.
Despite this, some Kentucky residents remain supportive of Trump’s trade strategy. Longtime Republican and business owner Ted Jackson insists tariffs will ultimately benefit the U.S. economy, even if there are short-term disruptions. Others, like retired bartender Sue Troutman, express cautious optimism but acknowledge the potential harm to American businesses.
With Kentucky exporting over $9 billion in goods to Canada annually, the ongoing dispute raises concerns about long-term economic damage. While Yarbrough and other industry leaders advocate for an end to tariffs, the political divide in the U.S. means uncertainty lingers. For now, Brough Brothers Distillery finds itself caught in the crossfire of an escalating trade war.
Source: Swifteradio.com
