University of Kentucky’s Estate Whiskey Alliance announces seven founding members

The University of Kentucky has announced the seven founding members of its Estate Whiskey Alliance, or EWA, including Maker’s Mark and Heaven Hill. The global initiative is designed to highlight the advantages of local sourcing and sustainable production. Alliance Director Landon Borders said to qualify, distillers must meet several requirements.

“All production processes, including milling, cooking, fermentation, distilling, barreling, aging, occur on the estate, and that at least two thirds of the grains used in the mash bill are grown on the estate or controlled properties.”

Borders said distillers will benefit from an “Estate Whiskey Alliance” label and increased agritourism.

“We're introducing elements of terroir. We're introducing elements of origin, of grain, soil, quality, sustainability. That adds all these other layers to the consumer experience.”

Borders said another benefit, for everyone, will be fewer emissions from vehicles used to transport ingredients. He said the EWA has been trademarked in Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union and Japan.

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