here is abc's john carl. ♪ >> reporter: it is a manufacturing boom in the heartland. production expanding, sales breaking records, and lots of new jobs. we're talking about bourbon, a 100% american-made product, almost as old as america itself. not since the end of prohibition has there been this much demand for it. >> marvelous turnaround, especially in this time, economic climate. >> reporter: we set out to find kentucky's secret. what can struggling american businesses learn from the bourbon boom. production shot up 18% just last year and continues to soar. there are now more barrels of bourbon in kentucky than there are people. >> this guy. that's my picture. >> reporter: we asked the great grandson of jim beam, who is buying it all? >> half of our business is overseas.