The American Whiskey Association has recognized Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney’s visit to Independent Stave Company’s Kentucky Cooperage and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel facilities in Lebanon, Kentucky, as a significant moment for transatlantic spirits trade. The association said the visit highlights the deep economic connections between American oak cooperage, Scotch whisky, American whiskey and the broader global spirits supply chain.
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READ THE STORYIndependent Stave Company is a fourth-generation, family-owned business with more than 110 years of history. Its new and used cooperage operations support distillers and winemakers worldwide, including Scotch whisky producers who depend on high-quality American oak barrels for maturation.
"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.
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"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," Bilello added.
The visit arrives at a pivotal moment for transatlantic spirits trade. American whiskey and Scotch whisky are globally recognized categories with distinct identities, yet they remain deeply connected through shared supply chains, barrel use and consumer demand.
"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," Bilello said.
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Brad Boswell, CEO of Independent Stave Company, emphasized the significance of the first minister’s visit. "For more than a century, Independent Stave Company has helped connect American oak, Kentucky craftsmanship and the global spirits industry," Boswell said. "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," Boswell added.
Bilello further underscored the policy implications. "Independent Stave Company’s work is a powerful example of why spirits trade policy matters beyond the finished bottle," he said. "Every barrel represents skilled labor, long-term investment and the international partnerships that make the global whiskey market stronger."
The AWA continues to advocate for open markets, fair treatment and trade policies that allow American whiskey to compete globally. The association commended Independent Stave Company for hosting the first minister and showcasing the craftsmanship and supply-chain connections that underpin the world’s whiskey industry.
