LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Many American industries are in wait-and-see mode as ongoing trade wars play out. Kentucky bourbon — a uniquely American product — is on the front lines of the tariff back-and-forths.

All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. That “brown gold” can basically only be found here in Kentucky, and people around the world love it. But the Trump administration is engaged in tariff wars with trading partners, meaning this world-famous product could get stuck on the shelf.

Walter Zausch welcomes visitors to Whiskey Thief Distillery in Frankfort. Their party trick? “Thieving” whiskey — tasting it straight from the barrel.

“It allows you to taste straight out of the barrel, which is a unique experience that most people don’t get to do,” Zausch said.

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