Jim Beam controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2019
Kentucky warehouse fire and river contamination
A second warehouse fire destroyed roughly 45,000 barrels. Bourbon entered Glenns Creek and the Kentucky River. Authorities used aeration and other measures to raise oxygen levels and reduce additional ecological damage.
2019
Jim Beam fined over bourbon spill
Fine or penalty
Jim Beam was fined $600,000 under a December 6 order after a warehouse fire sent bourbon into nearby waterways and killed fish. Its owner, Beam Suntory, said it would reimburse the state $112,000 and was committed to helping restore the environment.
Company response
Remediation — Beam Suntory
In a Friday statement, the company said it is “committed to doing what we can to restore the environment.”
Source excerpt
The company will also reimburse the state $112,000.
Jim Beam has been fined $600,000 for a Kentucky warehouse fire that sent bourbon into nearby waterways and killed fish.
The Courier-Journal reports the distiller agreed to the fine in a Dec. 6 order from the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet.
2019
Jim Beam agrees to $600,000 fine over bourbon spill
Fine or penalty
Jim Beam agreed to a $600,000 fine in a Dec. 6 order from the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet following a July warehouse fire that sent alcohol into waterways and killed fish. The company will also reimburse the state agency $112,000.
Company response
Remediation — Beam Suntory
we recognize the regrettable and unavoidable impacts of the incident and have been committed to doing what we can to restore the environment.
Source excerpt
In a Friday comment to the newspaper, Beam Suntory, the Chicago-based spirits company that owns Jim Beam, said, “While we were able to minimize impacts to the surrounding environment and wildlife … we recognize the regrettable and unavoidable impacts of the incident and have been committed to doing what we can to restore the environment. That includes making payments to the state to compensate for time spent, resources utilized and costs to supplement the local fish population.”
The distiller agreed to the fine in a Dec. 6 order from the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, The Courier-Journal reports.
Jim Beam was fined $600,000 (537,000 Euros) earlier this month after a July warehouse fire sent a nearly 23-mile (37-kilometre) plume of alcohol into the Kentucky and Ohio rivers, killing fish.
2003
Bardstown warehouse fire and bourbon runoff
A fire destroyed an aging warehouse holding about 15,000 barrels. Bourbon flowed into nearby waterways, and reported fish deaths made the incident an environmental controversy associated with the brand.