American Whiskey Association Marks Bourbon Heritage Month Alongside Member Companies

“Made in America. Made for the World.” effort will amplify bourbon’s heritage, American agriculture and the global opportunity ahead

WASHINGTON, D.C. — September 1, 2026 — The American Whiskey Association (AWA) today joined its member companies and industry partners in marking Bourbon Heritage Month, using the occasion to amplify the history, craftsmanship and distinctly American character of bourbon while raising awareness of the people, industries and communities behind it.

Throughout September, AWA will work alongside member companies to support and amplify Bourbon Heritage Month through social media, traditional media, educational content and other communications efforts under the theme “Made in America. Made for the World.”

“Bourbon Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate an American product whose story is deeply connected to the story of our country,” said Michael Bilello, President & CEO of the American Whiskey Association. “Our members tell that story every day through the products they make, the people they employ and the communities they support. Our role this month is to help amplify those efforts, raise awareness of what makes bourbon uniquely American and connect that heritage to the opportunities ahead for American whiskey.”

Bilello opened Bourbon Heritage Month with a video message highlighting the industry’s American roots and the importance of carrying that heritage forward.

AWA’s Message on Bourbon Heritage Month:
https://youtu.be/LaEkNUAYHQ0

America’s Native Spirit

In 2007, the U.S. Senate designated September as National Bourbon Heritage Month and recognized bourbon as “America’s Native Spirit,” reinforcing its distinctive place in American history and culture.

That American identity is also embedded in law. To qualify as bourbon whiskey, a product must be produced in the United States from a fermented grain mash containing at least 51 percent corn, distilled at no more than 160 proof and stored in new charred oak containers at no more than 125 proof.

Those standards connect bourbon directly to American agriculture and manufacturing — from the farmers who grow its grain and the cooperages that make its barrels to distillers, glassmakers, label printers, warehouse workers, transportation providers and communities across the country.

American Heritage. Global Opportunity.

Bourbon Heritage Month also comes at an important moment for American whiskey.

American whiskey remains the largest U.S. spirits export category, with approximately $1.08 billion in exports in 2025. Even as established markets experienced significant trade disruption, U.S. spirits exports to markets outside Canada and the European Union grew 13.2 percent, demonstrating continued demand and opportunity for American-made products abroad.

At the same time, producers are navigating a difficult domestic marketplace and uncertainty in key international markets. Expanding access to consumers around the world will therefore remain important to the long-term health of the industry.

“The world continues to show an appetite for authentic, premium aged products,” Bilello said. “Our members are investing in American agriculture, American manufacturing and American communities. We want to help tell that story while continuing to advocate for the market access and competitive tools that allow those products to reach consumers around the world.”

Bourbon Heritage Month Priorities

During Bourbon Heritage Month, AWA expects to support and amplify content from its members and partners while contributing its own communications where useful.

Those efforts include highlighting:

• The history and heritage of bourbon and the people who built the industry;
• Member companies, distillers and businesses across the American whiskey supply chain;
• The federal standards that make bourbon a distinctly American product;
• Bourbon’s connection to American farmers, manufacturing and communities;
• The national footprint of bourbon production across the United States;
• The economic importance of American whiskey production and exports; and
• Opportunities to expand access for American whiskey in markets around the world.

AWA will also use Bourbon Heritage Month as an opportunity to contribute to the broader conversation about the future of American whiskey, including market access, trade policy and U.S. competitiveness.

“This month is bigger than any one association or company,” Bilello said. “It is an opportunity for the entire industry to tell the story of bourbon — the people who make it, the communities that support it and the American supply chain behind every bottle. AWA is proud to work with our members and partners to help elevate that story.”

Made in America. Made for the World.

The American Whiskey Association’s mission is to make American whiskey the world’s whiskey by leading on policy, protecting the standards and reputation of American whiskey, and promoting greater opportunity for American producers at home and abroad.

AWA encourages adults who choose to enjoy bourbon and other distilled spirits to do so responsibly and in moderation.

About the American Whiskey Association

The American Whiskey Association is the leading voice for the American whiskey supply chain and works to lead, protect and promote American whiskey in the United States and around the world.