WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday welcomed Wild Turkey Distillery’s Master Distiller, Jimmy Russell, to his office in the United States Capitol. Senator McConnell honored Russell for his 60th year of making Bourbon for Wild Turkey with a tribute published in the United States Congressional Record and recognized him as the longest tenured active spirits master distiller in the world.
Senator McConnell presented the Congressional tribute saying, “I want to congratulate Jimmy Russell for reaching his 60th anniversary of work at Wild Turkey Distillery. He is a legend in our State’s vibrant Bourbon industry and his lifetime of achievement is certainly something our Commonwealth is proud of.”
During their meeting, Master Distiller Jimmy Russell said, “It’s truly an honor to be in Washington, D.C. with Senator McConnell, a great champion of the Bourbon industry, on my 60th anniversary with Wild Turkey. And, what better way to celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month than spending it in our Nation’s Capital extolling the virtues of Kentucky Straight Whiskey.”
September is Bourbon Heritage Month, and earlier this year, Senator McConnell introduced the McConnell-Paul Senate Resolution to honor the 50th anniversary of the original Declaration of Independence for Bourbon, which the U.S. Senate unanimously agreed to.
Senator McConnell also introduced The Aged Distilled Spirits Competitiveness Act, cosponsored by Senator Rand Paul, which would level the playing field for bourbon producers by allowing the deduction of interest expense related to bourbon inventories in the year it is paid. Currently, bourbon producers are required to wait until after the lengthy aging process – generally 4 to 8 years, although sometimes as long as 23 years – before deducting expenses related to creating their inventory.
“Kentucky bourbon is a vital part of the Commonwealth’s heritage, and is responsibly enjoyed by adults all over the world,” Senator McConnell said when he introduced the bill earlier this Congress. “Over 9,000 jobs in Kentucky are attributed to the bourbon industry and it brings in billions of dollars to our state’s economy. This legislation will not only put Kentucky’s bourbon industry on a level playing field with its competitors, but it is a pro-growth measure that will also help provide a boost to our economy and help create jobs in Kentucky.”