Kentucky’s bourbon industry is rich in tradition but also means a bright future in the commonwealth.

As a signature industry in the state, Kentucky’s bourbon and spirits sector is responsible for over 23,000 jobs, with an annual payroll topping $2.16 billion. The key sector also generates $9 billion in economic impact, providing a significant boost to the state’s soaring economy.

Since the beginning of Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration, Kentucky’s bourbon and spirits industry has announced 102 new location and expansion projects, totaling $4.2 billion in investment and creating over 1,800 jobs.

At no point was this impact felt more than in 2022, when Kentucky recorded its single best year for growth of its signature industry, with private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $2.1 billion in investments and approximately 700 new jobs for Kentucky residents.

This record-setting year was highlighted by Louisville-based Sazerac Co., which in November 2022 announced the largest distilled spirits-related investment on record in Kentucky history with a $600 million investment in London. The project is creating up to 50 full-time jobs and supporting the company’s continued growth.

In July of that year, Beam Suntory announced the expansion of its Jim Beam Brands Co. with a $400 million investment that will create more than 50 full-time jobs at the Booker Noe Distillery in Boston.

“The growth of Kentucky’s bourbon industry is one of the most important factors in our state’s recent economic success,” said Gov. Beshear. “We’ve made tremendous strides in not only growing the number of distilleries in the commonwealth but increasing the supporting infrastructure of the industry, adding rickhouses, storage warehouses, bottling centers and manufacturing facilities all over the state. Combined with the emphasis on tourism, our bourbon and spirits sector is creating job opportunities and driving economic momentum in every corner of Kentucky.”

That success has continued, highlighted by major announcements from both Legacy Spirits of Kentucky, LLC and Staghorn. Legacy Spirits announced a more than $250 million investment in a new bourbon distillery and restaurant in Madison County, creating 80 new Kentucky jobs. Meanwhile, Staghorn announced a new distillery in Garrard County, another $250 million project creating 60 quality jobs.

Those are just a few of the recent significant announcements helping move the industry forward in Kentucky.

Kentucky’s continued bourbon boom has played a critical role in the state’s record-surging economy and shows no signs of slowing down. As of the end of 2023, there are 100 licensed distilleries operated by 84 companies in 42 Kentucky counties, five times the number of distilleries since 2009, with a 135% growth in employment and a 160% growth in wages.

This growth has played a significant role in job creation as well. Since 2001, distillery employment has risen 130%, while the rest of Kentucky’s manufacturers have shed 20.5% of their employees. The average annual salary and wages per Kentucky distillery team member is $94,000 compared to the national average of $69,000 – thanks in large part to the number of headquarters and executive positions in Kentucky.

Distillers across the state are setting new marks for production. Distillers produced a record 2.7 million barrels of Bourbon in 2022, the fifth year in a row topping the 2-million-barrel production mark. Production has skyrocketed nearly 500% since the turn of the century – with around 455,000 barrels produced in 1999 – and 240% since 2009. Kentucky boasted more than 12.6 million barrels of Bourbon aging in warehouses across the state as of January 2023, the first time inventory reached the 12 million milestone.

If the industry continues at its current growth rate, by 2025, distilling is anticipated to support 28,000 jobs with a payroll of $3 billion, reaching the $10 billion economic impact mark, and provide more than $436 million in local and state tax revenue from production and consumption.

The continued growth and expansion of distilleries, barrel storage warehouses and bottling and distribution centers continues to play a major role in the commonwealth’s continued economic success. 

The momentum of one of the commonwealth’s signature industries is fueling growth in communities across the state, from startups to distilleries rich in history. There’s no question that bourbon is booming in Kentucky.

Members of the editorial and news staff of USA TODAY Network were not involved in the creation of this content.

A Kentucky fisherman has reeled in an enormous 200-pound prehistoric alligator snapping turtle and a potentially record-breaking gar at a lake in Texas. 

Art Weston and his trusted guide, Captain Kirk Kirkland, returned to Sam Rayburn Lake, where they had previously hooked a record-shattering alligator gar in the fall.

When the famed fishermen set out on the murky waters last month, they were hoping to find another large alligator gar – one that would break another record. 

During one strenuous morning on the water, Weston hooked and lost multiple record-breaking fish. 

Weston and Kirkland intended to clinch a line-class record, which meant they needed to catch an enormous giant alligator gar with four-pound test line in order for it to qualify as a record. 

Weston was out with his trusted guide, Captain Kirk Kirkland. After failing to reel in a large alligator gar, they caught an alligator snapping turtle. They hooked the prehistoric beast through one of its feet

At one point, the intrepid fisherman was locked in a dramatic battle with one prodigious fish, during which their course drifted to the mouth of the Angelina River.

Among some flooded timber, Weston and Kirkland lost the fish in ‘a stumpy area’. Their world-record swam away.

But the fisherman and his guide remained undaunted and dropped another line in the water. Then they reeled in something that shocked them.

At the end of the line was a monstrous beast- a prehistoric alligator gar. 

‘Art hooked something about noon while fishing for gar using a large chunk of carp for bait,’ Captain Kirkland. 

‘I figured it was a turtle for the unusual way it fought. It took Art about 30 minutes to bring the turtle up, and it wasn’t very happy,’ he told outdoorlife.com.

The next day, Weston managed to catch a record-breaking alligator gar after an hour-long battle

Weston hooked the gar with four-pound fishing line. The fish weighed 188 pounds

The hook was lodged in one of the grim creature’s front feet, which proved difficult to remove. 

‘There’s not much to grab, and they’re trying to fight, claw, and bite you,’ Kirkland said. 

The men said that while they endeavored to remove the hook, the monstrous turtle observed their every movement and had its mouth open and ready to bite. 

‘I grabbed him by the shell edge behind its head,’ Kirkland recounted.

‘Then [I] got ahold of its tail with my other hand. Then I carefully worked it into the boat.’

They theorized that the prehistoric beast weighed around 200 pounds, easily making it a contender for one of the heaviest ever caught in Texas, which is 211 pounds.

‘We got the hook out of its foot, made a few photos, then let it go because they’re protected by law,’ Kirkland said.

In Texas, alligator snapping turtles are considered a threatened species, and fishermen are required to release the fish as close to the place where they caught them as possible.

They day after Weston and Kirkland hooked the impressive alligator snapping turtle, they set out again, still hoping to reel in that elusive record-breaking gar. 

After an hour long bout with a strong alligator gar, Weston was able to reel it in with a four-pound line, and break the record. 

They hauled the fish in to the shore, where they used an official scale to weigh their prize and found it came in at a staggering 188 pounds.

After they finished weighing the alligator gar, the two men released it in the lake. 

After hauling the massive gar to shore, Weston and Kirkland released the fish

If Weston’s record application is approved, this would be the fisherman’s 10th gar-related record and his 38th fishing record

‘We knew it was a record right away due to its size, and quickly navigated to the shore to weigh and record the catch, so that we could quickly release it alive and well,’ Weston told Fox. 

Weston and Kirkland submitted their record application to the International Game and Fishing Association.

If their application is accepted, their 188-pound fish will blow away the previous record of a 117 pound 3-ounce alligator gar. 

This would mark Weston’s tenth world-record for catching alligator gar and his 38th overall fishing record. 

The order has been set for the 2024 NBA Draft, with the draft lottery taking place on Sunday. And, despite Kentucky basketball’s early exit from the 2024 NCAA Tournament, the draft could still prove fruitful for several Wildcats.

While the Wildcats likely don’t have a player in the early contention for the No. 1 overall pick ― which goes to the Atlanta Hawks, despite having the second-lowest odds to land it ― it could be a good June 26 for UK fans watching the action unfold at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

REQUIRED READING: Former Kentucky coach John Calipari speaks on ending at Kentucky and leaving for Arkansas

A mock draft published right after the lottery show on Sunday by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo has two Kentucky players picked in the top four, while USA TODAY’s For the Win writer Bryan Kalbrosky has three Wildcats picked in the lottery.

Australian big man Alex Sarr is the early favorite to go No. 1 overall early in the process. Kentucky sharpshooter Reed Sheppard is projected to go No. 3 in a couple of mock drafts, while teammate Rob Dillingham joins him in Texas with the San Antonio Spurs at No. 4 in an ESPN mock draft and even as high as No. 3 in another.

Here’s a look at where Kentucky players are expected to be selected in the 2024 NBA Draft:

Kentucky basketball 2024 NBA mock draft

ESPN and USA TODAY have Sheppard landing with an up-and-coming young team in the Houston Rockets. The Rockets drew the No. 3 pick despite finishing the season at 41-41, with a late-season run getting them into contention for a potential NBA play-in game.

Houston has a strong young nucleus led by Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. The Rockets could emphasize adding some shooting for their young nucleus this offseason, which makes Sheppard the perfect fit.

The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 4.1 rebounds on 53.6% field goal shooting and 52.1% from 3-point range, earning USBWA and NABC Freshman of the Year honors.

“The Rockets turned the page on their rebuild by hiring coach Ime Udoka and making a splash in free agency last summer. Houston could look at plug-and-play options with this pick considering the youthful roster construction. Shooting will likely be a priority this summer, and the dynamic shot-making versatility of Sheppard — who made over 50% of his 3s this season — could be attractive with this pick, along with his feel for the game and defensive instincts. Expect Donovan Clingan to get a look here as well if the front office feels he can play heavy minutes alongside Alperen Sengun in a multi-big men lineups.” — Givony

Mock drafts

At 6-foot-3, Dillingham could be undersized for the NBA. But SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell still has him going as high as No. 3 to the Houston Rockets after a strong freshman season. Dillingham averaged 15.2 points, 3.9 assists and 2.9 rebounds on 47.5% shooting from the field and 44.4% shooting from 3-point range. He would also be a good addition to a young team seeking a quick turnaround.

“Dillingham is an impossibly shifty shot creator for himself and others thanks to his deep shooting range, soft touch, and tremendous vision as a passer. The 6’2 guard has the best handle in the class with the ability to link dribble-crossovers, change direction, and get off a good look at the rim against bigger defenders. He’s the rare guard prospect whose shooting ability feels equally dangerous off the dribble and off the catch: Dillingham can punish unders with deep pull-ups, and also has a fantastic feel for relocating around the three-point line to knock down spot-ups.”

Mock drafts

REQUIRED READING: Former Kentucky coach John Calipari speaks on ending at Kentucky and leaving for Arkansas

ESPN and FTW also agree that Justin Edwards was the final Kentucky player selected in the first round. The 6-foot-7 forward is projected to the Washington Wizards at No. 26. Edwards averaged 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds as a freshman, not quite living up to his billing as the No. 3 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class, per 247Sports’ Composite rankiings.

“Edwards did not have the season many expected at Kentucky but is still worthy of consideration in this area of the draft at 6-7 with some perimeter shooting acumen and upside to grow into after one season in college. The Wizards could look to bolster their wing depth, which would make Edwards a candidate to get drafted late in the first round.” — Givony

Mock drafts

• ESPN: No. 26 to the Washington Wizards
• USA Today FTW: No. 26 to the Washington Wizards
• The Athletic: No. 47 (second round) to the Orlando Magic
• Yahoo Sports: No. 48 (second round) to the Orlando Magic
• The Ringer: No. 53 (second round) to the Detroit Pistons

Of the six previously mentioned mocks, only The Athletic and NBA Draft Net have Kentucky senior guard Antonio Reeves being picked. The NBA draft-dedicated site has Reeves going No. 38 to the New York Knicks, while The Athletic author Sam Vecenie has Reeves selected as the No. 44 overall pick, going off the board in the second round to the Houston Rockets. Reeves averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists on 51.2% shooting and 44.7% shooting from 3.