FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington D.C. —June 16, 2026 —  The American Whiskey Association today recognized the importance of Scotland’s Head of Government First Minister John Swinney’s, visit to Independent Stave Company’s Kentucky Cooperage and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel in Lebanon, Kentucky, as a timely reminder of the deep economic and trade connections among Kentucky, Scotland, American oak, Scotch whisky, American whiskey and the broader global spirits supply chain.

Independent Stave Company, a fourth-generation, family-owned business with more than 110 years of history, plays a vital role in the global whiskey ecosystem. Its new and used cooperage operations support distillers and winemakers around the world, including Scotch whisky producers who rely on high-quality American oak barrels as part of their maturation process.

“First Minister Swinney’s visit to Independent Stave Company underscores a simple but important point: Fair spirits trade supports jobs, family businesses, rural manufacturing, cooperage, forestry, logistics, distillers and hospitality on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Michael Bilello, president and CEO of the American Whiskey Association. “Tariff relief for Scotch whisky is not just good for Scotland. It is good for Kentucky and for the broader barrel economy that connects American oak to the global whiskey industry.”

The visit comes at an important moment for transatlantic spirits trade. American whiskey and Scotch whisky are globally recognized categories with distinct identities, but they are also connected through shared supply chains, barrel use, hospitality, retail, logistics and consumer demand.

“American whiskey and Scotch whisky compete in markets around the world, but they are also part of a deeply connected whiskey ecosystem,” Bilello said. “When trade barriers come down, the benefits extend across the supply chain, from the cooperage floor in Kentucky to distilleries in Scotland and consumers around the world.”

American whiskey is an agricultural, manufacturing and cultural export that supports farmers, grain producers, cooperages, barrel makers, distillers, warehouse teams, logistics providers, wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, bars, tourism and hospitality across the United States. AWA continues to advocate for open markets, fair treatment and trade policies that allow American whiskey to compete globally.

“Independent Stave Company’s work is a powerful example of why spirits trade policy matters beyond the finished bottle,” Bilello added. “Every barrel represents skilled labor, long-term investment and the international partnerships that make the global whiskey market stronger.”

AWA commends Independent Stave Company for hosting the first minister and showcasing the people, craftsmanship and supply-chain connections that support the world’s whiskey industry.

“For more than a century, Independent Stave Company has helped connect American oak, Kentucky craftsmanship and the global spirits industry,” said Brad Boswell, CEO, “First Minister Swinney’s visit is a meaningful reminder that strong trade relationships matter not only to distillers, but also to the cooperages, forestry partners, logistics providers and skilled associates behind every barrel. When open, fair-trade works, the entire whiskey ecosystem benefits.”

Read the AWA blog: https://american-whiskey.org/news/from-kentucky-barrels-to-scotch-whisky-why-fair-trade-supports-the-worlds-whiskey-ecosystem/

About the American Whiskey Association
The American Whiskey Association is the singularly focused global voice for American whiskey, founded by leading producers that make the lion’s share of the category and supported by a uniquely American supply chain that includes farmers, grain producers, American white oak forestry, cooperages, barrel makers, distillers, warehouse teams, logistics providers, wholesalers, retailers, hospitality businesses, tourism communities, and global trade partners. AWA works to LEAD, PROTECT, and PROMOTE one of America’s most iconic agricultural and manufacturing exports by advancing fair trade, tariff relief, market access, export competitiveness, product integrity, and global recognition for American whiskey. As the United States prepares to mark America 250, AWA is working to ensure American whiskey is recognized around the world as a premium, authentic, Made in America product that supports American workers, rural communities, commercial diplomacy, hospitality, and consumer choice, advancing its mission to make American whiskey the world’s whiskey.

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