Spirits giant Brown-Forman Corp. says it’s reducing its global workforce by about 12% and closing its barrel-making plant in Louisville

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 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.