Pernod Ricard joins Kentucky bourbon boom

French spirits producer Pernod Ricard is joining Kentucky’s bourbon boom, investing $196 million to construct a completely carbon-neutral distillery at its 265-acre site in Marion County, Ky.

Jerry Carter, president and CEO of Inter-County Energy, said he is excited about partnering with one of the world’s leading producers of spirits and wine to meet the renewable energy needs of the campus.

“Inter-County Energy is excited to partner with Pernod Ricard in their new distillery and visitor center campus in Lebanon-Marion County,” Carter said. “Meeting our members’ requests – and specifically, Pernod Ricard’s requirements for sustainable 100% renewable energy for the Lebanon-Marion County project – is a cornerstone principle for Inter-County Energy.”

The French-owned business is constructing a 75,000-square-foot facility that will produce bourbon with zero fossil fuel consumption.

“There are only two carbon-neutral distilleries in the U.S., and both are in Kentucky and on our co-op lines,” said Brad Thomas, Economic Development Manager for Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives.