FRANKFORT, Ky. —  A law allowing alcohol to be shipped directly to your house goes into effect Wednesday but Kentuckians are going to have to wait a little bit longer before they can have that bottle of bourbon shipped their doors. 

 

What You Need To Know


  • Law allowing alcohol shipments goes into effect Wednesday

  • Consumers will have to wait longer

  • Alcohol Beverage Control working on regulations

 

The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is still working on the regulations that will provide the framework for the producers shipping in and out of state. 

“I guess that might put it in some sort of legal limbo but we are looking forward to it becoming law,” said Rep. Adam Koenig, R-Erlanger, who sponsored the bill. 

The regulations put in place by ABC will create the licensing process for producers and ensure the Department of Revenue can collect taxes on the alcohol that is bought. 

The idea is that we are giving people the ability to do that but also ensure that they are paying the same taxes as a retail outlet,” said Koenig. 

The Kentucky Distillers Association has been working with ABC on the regulations.

“Like any good Kentucky bourbon this process takes time and we are thankful for that, let’s get it right, it’s a complicated process there is a lot of issues involving tax collection and responsibility and licensing so we are working with ABC and the Department of Revenue offering comments to the regulations and hope they will be out sometime soon,” said Eric Gregory, President of KDA. 

KDA believes this law will be instrumental in getting Kentucky bourbon into more homes across Kentucky and the country but acknowledges the growth could be slow. As of February 2020, just five states allowed direct shipment of all alcohol to the consumer while more than 40 states allow wine to be shipped to homes, however, more states are beginning to look into easing restrictions and allow shipments of spirts, Gregory says once that happens he believes the bourbon industry will continue to grow. 

“We really believe this will open up new markets especially for our smaller craft distillers and allow them to grow and expand I think the net effect on Kentucky will be much more growth and expansion within our industry,” he said. 

ABC says they are working on the regulations and hope to have them on the register by August 15 — then a 30-day public comment period will take effect — if there are no changes that need to be made the regulations could be sent to the legislature in September. The regulations must be approved by the Administrative Regulations Committee and then sent to the Licensing & Occupation Committee for final approval if they approve the regulations they will be put into place at the end of the committee hearing. 

The Administrative Regulations Committee meets at the beginning of the month so they will not be able to take up the regulations until their October 13 meeting, L&O Committee meets on October 24 where they could give final approval. 

The law prohibits shipping to any dry territories and recipients must be 21 years or older to receive the alcohol. 

It will allow for up to 10 liters of distilled spirits, 10 cases of wine, and 10 cases of malt liquor to be shipped each month. 

 

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