LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Distillers across Kentucky observed National Bourbon Day, a day dedicated to the country's "native spirit."

It’s the large room with barrels stacked almost to the ceiling that Drew Pomeroy enjoys being in when he’s at work. He’s relatively new to the spirits industry, having changed his entire career almost seven years ago.

Pomeroy went from the coffee to spirits. He’s now the distillery tour supervisor at Copper & Kings. He moved to Kentucky from Alabama in 2012 and loves the city, the industry and his career.

“There’s something about walking people through the distillery, seeing their eyes kind of light up, seeing their wheels turning, seeing those questions come up that just remind you ‘oh, I do get to do something cool and get paid to do it!’” Pomeroy said with a smile.

On National Bourbon Day, the day’s namesake website said there isn’t a single person or family credited with inventing bourbon. The name “bourbon” comes from Bourbon County, Kentucky. The website says in 2010, the American whiskey industry accounted for $1.9 billion in revenue.

“Bourbon Day is special, I think, for anyone in Kentucky, whether you’re honestly in the industry or not,” Pomeroy explained. “It’s something that you’re going to feel that pride in because Kentucky is so well-known for that spirit.”

Copper & Kings is an American brandy distillery in Louisville’s Butchertown neighborhood. They have been open to the public for a little over nine years and in production closer to 11 years.

Pomeroy said they’ve seen steady growth since opening. They sell three brandies nationwide, with a host of others featured on-site.

“We are using bourbon barrels from our friends here in the great state of Kentucky and we are aging our brandy, our fruit-based spirits, in those barrels, to bring brandy to the bourbon drinker,” Pomeroy said.

Pomeroy said he hopes to retire in this industry.