Kentucky has passed a law making limited DTC shipping legal. With bourbon tourism on the rise, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) lobbied for the ability to ship bottles home for visitors and also to establish subscription clubs. HB 400 lets distillery tourists purchase up to 4.5 liters (six 750-mL bottles) per person, per day, for home shipment; annual club membership tops out at one 9-liter case of spirits.
The bill also includes new regulations for wineries and retailers. Wineries in the state can now sell four cases of wine, per person, per day; club shipments can include up to 12 cases per year. Retailers can now sell and ship up to 4.5 liters of spirits and four cases of wine, per person, per day.
KDA President Eric Gregory said in a prepared statement, ““More than 1.2 million stops were made at Kentucky Bourbon Trail and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour distilleries last year, with 70 percent coming from outside Kentucky. More than 85 percent purchased a souvenir bottle during their trip. With the ability to ship bottles home, we’re confident that number will increase. Visitors purchasing more bottles will boost tourism and add valuable tax dollars to local and state coffers. It’s a win-win for bourbon and our beloved commonwealth.”
