Campus News

UK’s James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits Inks Powerful Partnership With Scotch Whisky Research Institute

Glasses of whisky in front of barrel
The Beam Institute and the Scotch Whisky Research Institute have similar missions and will work together to develop research activities, especially in the area of maturation. Photo: GettyImages.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 1, 2020) — The University of Kentucky’s James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits recently announced a partnership with the Scotch Whisky Research Institute in Edinburgh, Scotland. The partnership will enhance stability in the spirits industry worldwide and allow the institutions to study distilled spirits together.

“This is a great opportunity to carry our efforts beyond Kentucky and the United States,” said Seth DeBolt, director of the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits. “To partner with such an established institute will elevate the efforts we’ve already begun at the Beam Institute.”

The Beam Institute and the Scotch Whisky Research Institute (SWRI) have similar missions and will work together to develop research activities, especially in the area of maturation. The partnership will allow students and scientists of both institutions an opportunity for exchange of skills and ideas.

“Distillers in Scotland and Kentucky have strong shared values in heritage, quality and sustainability,” said James Brosnan, director of research for the Scotch Whisky Research Institute. “This gives a firm platform for SWRI and University of Kentucky collaboration where joint research on areas like maturation will benefit our member companies on both sides of the Atlantic.”

The SWRI was established in 1974 and has been delivering innovative scientific support to the industry for more than 40 years on all aspects of Scotch whisky production. While SWRI’s primary area of expertise is Scotch whisky, many of the institution’s members have diverse portfolios and interests in other spirit drink categories. As such, SWRI carries out research and provides advice on distilled spirits such as gin, rum, vodka, tequila and non-Scotch whiskeys.

The Beam Institute comprises experts from the UK College of Agriculture, Food and EnvironmentGatton College of Business and EconomicsCollege of Arts and SciencesCollege of Engineering and the J. David Rosenberg College of Law. The institute offers multidisciplinary research strengths to ensure sustained competitiveness of Kentucky’s spirits industry and its supply chain. The Beam Institute is committed to developing the state’s workforce and providing opportunities for economic growth via process efficiency and outreach.

“We are grateful to partner with this distinguished institute,” said Nancy Cox, UK vice president for land-grant engagement and dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “We look forward to sharing best practices.”

In creating exceptional teaching, research and outreach programs, the Beam Institute is a leader for Kentucky’s spirits industry from farm to product, which matches the SWRI’s commitment to research from barley to bottle.

“We have been and continue to be supportive of research collaborations between our institute and premier entities such as The Scotch Whisky Research Institute,” said Lisa Cassis, UK vice president for research.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.