Spirits giant Brown-Forman Corp. said Tuesday it's reducing its global workforce by about 12% and closing its hometown barrel-making plant in Louisville. The cost-cutting moves come as American whiskey producers face stiff challenges from changing consumer trends and renewed tariff threats.

Brown-Forman said on Tuesday it will lay off about 12% of its global workforce of 5,400 employees, as the Jack Daniel's maker looks to reduce costs amid weak alcohol demand.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville-based Brown-Forman announced a corporate restructuring that will cut 12% of its global workforce of 5,400 employees. In a news release Tuesday, the spirits company did not detail how many of those cuts were at the Louisville headquarters.

Brown-Forman, the parent company behind major American whiskey brands Jack Daniel’s and Woodford Reserve, announced that it was cutting 12 percent of its global workforce and selling its Louisville cooperage.

Brown-Forman named new executives and said it will cut about 12% of its global workforce, or roughly 648 jobs, as it undergoes a restructuring aimed to position the company for growth amid a choppy global spirits market.

The moves come as American whiskey producers face stiff challenges from changing consumer trends and renewed tariff threats.

Jack Daniel’s maker Brown-Forman is slashing 12% of its workforce as more consumers cut back on their alcohol consumption, the company said Tuesday. Louisville, Ky.-based Brown-Forman – a 155 year-old company which also makes Woodford Reserve,