Bourbon has become one of the most popular spirits in the world and is currently experiencing a peak in demand. According to the Kentucky Distiller’s Association, Kentucky distilleries filled 1.7 million barrels of bourbon last year. Between 2012 and 2017, bourbon whiskey sales grew by more than 50% to $3.3 billion. Distilleries are streamlining production by adding IoT sensors to equipment to collect data analytics, adding RFID tags to bourbon barrels, and creating experimental aging warehouses. New technology added includes a control room that is used to monitor data points from daily samples to make sure that all sugars are converted to alcohol at the right point. The implementation of the new high tech equipment is meant to make the bourbon making process smarter and more efficient, not faster. Bourbon experts and master distillers claim that there is no shortcut to making the bourbon just right. It takes over 20 years to produce some bourbons, so experts must allow time to create the perfect combination of vanilla flavors, oak, tobacco, and caramel.
Source: Tech Republic April 2019