A lighting strike may have caused a fire on Monday that saw around 4.5m litres of Jim Beam Bourbon go up in smoke at a warehouse in Bardstown, Kentucky, local police have said.


The warehouse which went up in “shooting flames” housed some 20,000 barrels. The fire brigade had to block nearby waterways to keep leaking bourbon contained.


There were no serious injuries according to Bardstown Police Captain Jerry Nevitt, who said lightning from a passing thunderstorm was a possible cause.


Jim Beam is owned by Fortune Brands Inc.

Just Drinks Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Drinks Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
De Kuyper Royal Distillers’ De Kuyper Batched 0.0% range has won both Innovation and Product Launches honours in the 2025 Just Drinks Excellence Awards. Learn how these premium, non-alcoholic RTD cocktails help operators serve consistent, bar-quality drinks while tapping fast-growing demand for sophisticated alcohol-free options.

Discover the Impact