We chat about what's next for the bourbon industry on this week's Access Louisville podcast.

Specifically, LBF Bourbon Reporter Stephen P. Schmidt is on the show to talk about the coming year for the industry. Schmidt recently talked to several people in the industry for a two-part story on the year ahead in this signature Kentucky space. He heard a little bit of everything from speculation on acquisition deals to expanding the ways in which brands sell to their consumers. You can read part 1 of Schmidt's bourbon prediction story here, and part 2 here.

A key takeaway: Last year was a challenging one for the industry — at least compared to the boom years of the last decade — and that's expected to continue in 2025.

After that, we chat about a couple restaurant stories with Reporter Michael L. Jones. He tells us about a new location for popular Mexican restaurant I Love Tacos. He also shares an update about the former Pints & Union Space in New Albany, which will soon be home to a new tavern.

Finally we wrap up the show with a discussion of Louisville's Hometown Heroes banners. The sepia-toned banners have for years decorated the sides of Louisville buildings with the faces of famous and notable Louisvillians. A new class of Hometown Heroes was recently announced, as Digital Editor Zak Owens recently reported. (Fun fact: One of the Hometown Heroes Honorees, Ken Clay, founder of Corner of Jazz, co-authored a book with Jones, 2024's "Soulful Sounds of Derby Town." You can hear Jones talk about the book on our show here.)

Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. It's available on popular podcast services, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.