File Photo: On Tuesday, May 18th, 2021, a bottle of Jack Daniels’ Single Barrel Select Tennessee Whiskey will be packaged at its distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, USA.
Luke Charlett | Bloomberg | Getty Images
US spirit exports reached a record of $2.4 billion in 2024. This was driven largely by tariff concerns and ongoing global trade disputes.
This is according to the American Spirits Export Report issued by the Trade Association by the US Distilled Spirits Council on Thursday.
“US Spirits exports have captured a new high in 2024 and have recaptured market share losses since the UK and the EU lifted retaliatory tariffs applied between 2018-2021,” said Discus President and CEO Chris Swonger. “Unfortunately, the ongoing trade disputes unrelated to our sector have caused uncertainty, keeping many US distillers on the sidelines and keeping sales growth under control.”
US spirit exports to the EU skyrocketed 39%, fuelled by concerns over the potential return of the potential profits of a 50% tariff on US whiskey imports in 2025, which was suspended in 2025.
In March, Trump threatened to put 200% tariffs on French champagne and other EU spirits. It ordered European world leaders, particularly European world leaders from Ireland, France and Italy, to advocate for non-returnable bourbon tariffs as part of the retaliation measure.
That particular tariff threat has declined somewhat as the US and the EU continue to negotiate trade.
The whiskey barrel is located on February 3, 2025 in a truck at Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee.
Kevin Worm | Reuters
Approximately 50% of the US spirit was exported to the EU, making it the largest export market, with a total of $1.2 billion.
However, exports to other parts of the world fell nearly 10%, according to reports that found to reflect a broader softened alcohol category.
Suntory Beam, the Japanese manufacturer of Jim Beam bourbon whiskey, said it was preparing for tariffs by stockpiling European supply in December. According to Panjiva’s global trade data, the company is already heavily dependent on France and the UK, accounting for more than 50% of the global export market in the past eight years.
According to the report, some of the top states of exports in 2024 are key bourbon economies.
Top 5 states that export the spirit of the United States:
Tennessee ($934 million) Kentucky ($751 million) Texas ($354 million) Florida ($334 million) Indiana ($142 million)
Still, American whiskey exports, which accounted for 54% of all US spirits exports, reduced 5.4% to $1.3 billion.
Swonger said that while the outlook for the spirit remains very unpredictable in the ongoing trade dispute, one fact applies to the data. Exports go to countries that eliminate tariffs.
“We are grateful for the early success of President Trump in reducing tariff reductions on Indian bourbon from 150% to 100%,” Swonger said. “We hope that the administration will build on this positive momentum by ensuring additional tariff cuts in India and reducing trade barriers in other countries.”
Headwinds remain for the industry. Canada, the second largest market for US spirits exports, imposed a 25% tariff across the border in March, with several states removing products from shelves.
Distillers and brewers also face tariffs on steel and aluminum that affect brewers’ material costs Constellation Brandfocusing on the “expected impact of tariffs,” it has significantly reduced long-term guidance for 2027 and 2028.
