Lousiville-based Brown-Forman claimed the top spot as the “greenest” beverage alcohol company among U.S. publicly traded companies in the Newsweek Green Rankings. Brown-Forman increased its overall ranking from 69 to 52 and was named among the top three of all beverage companies in the U.S., following Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. and Keurig Green Mountain. Full story
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Brown-Forman Honors Barrel-Making Heritage with Coopers’ Craft Bourbon
For the first time in two decades, Brown-Forman is launching a new bourbon brand. The company said Coopers’ Craft is made using a special beech and birch charcoal-filter finishing process. It celebrates Brown-Forman’s 70 years of barrel-making expertise. Coopers’ Craft will be available this summer in Kentucky and seven other states. Read full press release
The Nine Lives of One Bourbon Barrel
The last place you might expect to discover a monument to American whiskey is in an overgrown field in the idyllic countryside of Speyside, Scotland. But if you follow a path up a woody hill, overlooking the Glenrothes distillery, in a clearing you’ll find great pyramids of used American oak barrels. The newest ones look like they could still hold whiskey, while the oldest, weather-beaten ones are losing their rusty hoops and the staves are turning into dust. Full story
Woodford Reserve releases Kentucky Derby bottle
Woodford Reserve Distillery has released the 2016 commemorative bottle for its premium bourbon, which is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby. Full story
Jack Daniel’s invests $140 million to meet booming demand for bourbon
As demand for Tennessee Whiskey continues to soar, Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tenn., announced Wednesday it will invest $140 million to build two new barrel houses and expand its existing bottling facility, which will create 30 new jobs in Moore County. Full story
Brown-Forman barrel makers on a 70-year roll
The first barrel rolled off the line at Brown-Forman’s cooperage in Louisville 70 years ago and, with very minor changes, the barrels still are rolling briskly today.
“We have been making new barrels for the whiskey industry longer than anyone else,” said master distiller Chris Morris. “We’re also the only major distilling company that makes its own new barrels — in the world.” Full story
Brown-Forman to buy back $1 Billion shares
Brown-Forman has approved a $1 Billion share repurchase program following the sale of its Southern Comfort and Tuaca brands last month. Full story
Woodford Reserve Unveils Latest Distillery Series Expression: Frosty Four Wood
Woodford Reserve announces the latest Distillery Series expression, Frosty Four Wood. Unveiled in July 2015, the Distillery Series is Woodford Reserve’s latest line of complex offerings available for purchase at the Woodford Reserve Distillery and select Kentucky retailers. The series showcases Woodford Reserve’s continued commitment to providing an unmatched whiskey experience and leading the spirits industry through innovation and craftsmanship. Read the full press release
Sazerac acquisitions suggest global growth
Sazerac’s recent acquisition of Southern Comfort and Tuaca was “surprising” since it suggests the producer is looking to expand its presence outside of the US, an analyst has claimed. According to Jeremy Cunnington, senior alcoholic drinks analyst at Euromonitor International, 99% of Sazerac’s global 169 million litre sales occur in the US, with the remaining 1% sold in Canada, meaning its recent acquisitions from Brown-Forman signify a “large leap” for the group. Full story
Brown-Forman’s Morris named new chairman for Kentucky Distillers’ Association for 2016
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced Tuesday that Master Distiller Chris Morris of Brown-Forman has been named chairman of the 136-year-old group that unites, promotes and protects the state’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.
Morris, an acknowledged authority on Bourbon and Kentucky history who is celebrating his 40th year in the industry, will serve through December 2016. The KDA Board of Directors selected officers during its annual meeting recently at the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville. Full story
Old Forester Bourbon president visits the UK
Campbell Brown, president of Brown-Forman’s Old Forester bourbon, and brand ambassador Jackie Zykan (pictured below) were in London recently, in time to catch the London heat of the brand’s ongoing cocktail competition, and to present a masterclass in London. Full story
Woodford Reserve Releases 2015 Holiday Bottle
Woodford Reserve celebrates the holiday season with the release of its 2015 holiday bottle. The limited edition Woodford Reserve holiday bottle features the artwork from Louisville artist Thomas William Foerster.
Foerster’s image on the bottle features a snow scene in the middle of winter at the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky. The impressionistic image features nine bourbon barrels resting on the barrel run in front of the distillery. Covered in a small amount of snow, the barrels are making their way to the warehouse where the bourbon will mature for several years. In the background, the sun is setting in hues of golden orange. Read full press release
Modern marvels hidden in century-old Brown-Forman buildings
In a working-class neighborhood in western Louisville, near a fire station, Baptist churches and homes with gray vinyl siding, some tall red-brick structures stand out – in part because one of them seems to be propping up a giant bottle of bourbon.
Visitors who stroll down this part of Dixie Highway are inclined to pay more attention to the building on the east, the official headquarters of Brown-Forman Corp., which impresses with neatly cut shrubs, smooth lawn and majestic, white columns. Full story
Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Release Pays Homage to Past Distillers’ Historic Recipe
1838 Style White Corn Combines Innovation and Inspiration from Distilling Industry Pioneers Oscar Pepper and Master Distiller James Crow
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Woodford Reserve announces the release of its latest product, the Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection 1838 Style White Corn, which will be available for purchase in limited quantities in November. This new bourbon release, representing a convergence of the brand’s commitment to innovation, and historic roots, pays tribute to the craftsmanship and vision of past distillery industry leaders Oscar Pepper and James Crow and their original use of white corn in their whiskey production process from the late-1830s to the 1850s.
Celebrate bourbon month with September Old Fashioned & Fall Punch made with Old Forester
September’s bourbon heritage month is special for Old Forester, and it’s long history in Kentucky. As America’s First Bottled Bourbon and America’s longest continuously produced bourbon, there is no better bourbon to celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month with than Old Forester. This 145 year old authentic Kentucky bourbon is the only bourbon distilled, aged and bottled in the city of Louisville. Full story
‘Craft’ Bourbon Is in the Eye of the Distiller
Craft-spirits distilleries have mushroomed in the U.S. to 588 from 51 over the past decade, according to data from the American Distilling Institute. The trade group predicts craft-spirits makers’ share of the U.S. spirits market could rise to as much as 8% by 2020 from the current 1%, posing a threat to liquor conglomerates such as Diageo PLC and Pernod Ricard SA. Full story
Woodford Reserve, Old Forester could be billion-dollar brands, CEO tells shareholders
Brown-Forman CEO Paul Varga said Wednesday that the company aspires to grow Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, the Herradura tequila family and other major labels into billion-dollar brands. “Because Jack Daniel’s has become so big, the bar for everything else at Brown-Forman has gone up,” Varga told shareholders at the annual meeting. “These brands could become this kind of valuable.” Full story
Old Forester Distillery coming to Louisville’s Whiskey Row
A little more than two weeks after fire damaged three historic buildings, Brown-Forman is kicking off construction of its new Old Forester Distillery. “The first and only bourbon born and bred on Whiskey Row is Old Forester,” master distiller Chris Morris, said. Morris is excited about bringing Old Forester back to its roots. Full story
Old Forester on Whiskey Row groundbreaking set
The groundbreaking for the $45 million Old Forester Distillery was announced Friday — days after a July 6 fire in neighboring Whiskey Row buildings jeopardized the Main Street project planned by Brown-Forman Corp. An announcement from the Louisville-based liquor maker said the groundbreaking is Wednesday for the $45 million project devoted to the company’s founding brand. Full story
The new face of Old Forester
Old Forester, a bourbon brand produced by Louisville-based Brown-Forman Corp., has a new spokesperson. Bartender and manager Jacquelyn Zykan has been hired to represent the brand globally as “master bourbon specialist.” In the newly created role, Zykan will conduct training events and demonstrations and will work with bartenders, as well as serving as a spokesperson, a release said. Full story
Woodford Reserve plans new releases
Louisville-based Brown-Forman plans to launch a new line of Woodford Reserve releases. The line is called the Distillery Series. Starting in late July, the inaugural two offerings in the series — “Double Double Oaked” and “Sweet Mash Redux” — will be available for purchase only at the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Ky. They’ll have a suggested retail price of $49.99 for a 375-milliliter bottle. Full story
Brown-Forman to turn $12m mill into barrel factory
Jack Daniel’s owner Brown-Forman is investing US$12 million to acquire and renovate an Indiana mill to expand its Bourbon barrel production. The 15,000sqft lumber mill will be transformed to create staves and heading pieces for barrels, which will then be assembled at a separate site. Full story
Price estimate for Brown-Forman’s Main Street distillery jumps 50%
Remember how exciting it was when Brown-Forman Corp. announced that it was investing $30 million to build a distillery on Main Street? Well, here’s exciting news: The company is now investing $45 million in the project. Full story
How to sip a $1,000 Kentucky Derby mint julep
Kentucky Derby fans will be able to splurge on $1,000 mint juleps at the races on Saturday. That’s $45 for each sip — if they drink the bourbon cocktail according to the instructions outlined by whiskey expert Chris Morris. Full story
George Garvin Brown IV: A family man rides the bourbon boom
About halfway through our lunch, George Garvin Brown IV makes me keenly aware of a deficiency in my cocktail ware I didn’t even know was there. “Everyone,” he says with simple conviction, “needs a mint julep cup.”
It’s an odd thing to hear from someone who grew up in Montreal, not exactly the mint julep capital of the world. But an item in Mr. Brown’s collection of these silver cups speaks to the roots of his conviction about proper cocktail service: The cup, from 1912, was a gift to his grandfather from his great-great-grandfather. The first George Garvin Brown founded what is now Brown-Forman Corp., maker most famously of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey. Full story
Report: Brown-Forman and Bacardi will continue working together
Bacardi Ltd.’s entrance into the bourbon market doesn’t appear to be affecting its relationship with Louisville-based Brown-Forman Corp. Full story
Woodford Reserve® Bourbon Releases 2015 Kentucky Derby® Bottle
Woodford Reserve®, the “Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby®,” is honoring this year’s “Run for the Roses”™ with the release of its 2015 Kentucky Derby commemorative bottle. This year’s limited-edition Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby bottle features the artwork from elite equine artist Carole Andreen-Harris. Full story
Former Brown-Forman exec launches new whiskey line
Some bourbon and whiskey brands downplay the fact that they’re blending products from multiple distilleries and putting their own label on it. A new local brand called Whiskey Row is doing the opposite by embracing blended whiskey. Full story
Old Forester Releases Ready-to-Serve Mint Julep Cocktail
Old Forester Mint Julep, a 60-proof ready-to-serve cocktail made with Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, will be available for sale in select stores as of late-March. In addition to stores, Churchill Downs® will serve Old Forester Mint Julep, recently named “The Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby®,” during the 141st Kentucky Derby®. Full story
Five questions with the new president of Old Forester
Louisville-based distilling giant, Brown-Forman, announced that the Old Forester brand has a new president in Campbell Brown. Business First sat down with Brown earlier today to discuss his new position and the future of the brand. Full story
Brown-Forman names new president for Old Forester brand
Campbell Brown has been promoted to the new position of president, Old Forester at Louisville-based Brown-Forman Corp., effective May 1. Brown is a fifth-generation descendent of company founder George Garvin Brown, according to a news release. He’ll be responsible for the worldwide growth of the Old Forester trademark, which is something the company has focused on of late. Full story
Woodford Reserve Reveals Rye Whiskey, the Brand’s Latest Product Extension
Woodford Reserve today announces the release of its latest permanent product extension, Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, which will be available for purchase in select markets throughout the country beginning in February. The latest release showcases the company’s ongoing commitment to both whiskey lovers and innovation within the industry. Full story
Is Brown-Forman on a Growth Path?
Brown-Forman Corp. (BF.B), the world’s leading producer and distributor of premium alcoholic beverages, remains well positioned with its strong portfolio of over 25 premium brands, including Jack Daniel’s – its flagship spirits brand – followed by Southern Comfort liqueur, Canadian Mist whiskey, Finlandia vodka as well as the Fetzer and Korbel wine brands. Full story
Louisville: 111 Whiskey Row project could be finished by late 2016
A project to redevelop three buildings along the fabled section of West Main Street known as Whiskey Row should begin in mid-2015 and will take about 18 months to complete. Full story
Brown-Forman to Build Old Forester Distillery on Whiskey Row
Brown-Forman Corporation today announced that it will open a distillery and bourbon experience for its founding brand, Old Forester, in two historic buildings on West Main Street in Louisville, Kentucky. Brown-Forman expects to open the Old Forester Distillery in the fall of 2016, building on the company’s strong bourbon whiskey heritage by creating a world-class distilling operation and visitor destination that showcases the craftsmanship and authenticity of Old Forester, the first bottled bourbon. The company anticipates investing approximately $30 million in this project. Read the full press release
Brown-Forman “exceeds” rate of industry growth
Brown-Forman, producer of Jack Daniel’s, has celebrated what it claims has been one of the “most successful” years in its 144-year history during the election of its board of directors.
The US group recently revealed that it had achieved a 6% net sales growth in fiscal year 2013/14, driven predominantly by soaring global demand for American whiskey. Full story
Jack Daniel Cooperage celebrates grand opening
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, state economic development officials and Brown-Forman/Jack Daniel’s officials today celebrated the grand opening of the Jack Daniel Cooperage in Trinity, Alabama. Read press release
Everything Old Forester is new again according to sales figures
Brown-Forman’s Old Forester might be the Betty White of bourbons: as smart and entertaining as ever and remarkably hip again. Full story
Fight rages over definition of Tennessee whiskey
A battle is being waged between Diageo and Brown-Forman over the term Tennessee whiskey. Full story
What Does Diageo’s $115 Million Investment in Bourbon Mean for Investors?
Great news for Kentucky and whiskey fans but what about for your portfolio? Full story
Diageo CEO remains measured in hunt for deals
Diageo looking to strengthen bourbon portfolio? Full story
Brown-Forman starts planning for Whiskey Row bourbon attraction in Louisville
After long talks, Brown-Forman is finally taking the first steps toward developing plans for an urban bourbon distillery on Whiskey Row. Full story
Brown-Forman has started planning for Whiskey Row urban bourbon attraction
Is Brown-Forman planning a Whiskey Row attraction? We sure hope so. Check out what Insider Louisville has to say on the matter.
Brown-Forman: 143 years old and still growing
Many businesses fail within a few years and many others fail during their first economic downturn, which is why it’s rare to find a business that has stuck around since 1870. It’s even rarer to find a company this old still growing at a strong pace. Full story
Brown-Forman CEO comments on industry consolidation, Bacardi rumors
Paul Varga, CEO of Louisville-based Brown-Forman, says the spirits industry is not as consolidated as many people believe. Full story
Brown-Forman CEO comments on industry consolidation, Bacardi rumors
Paul Varga, CEO of Louisville-based Brown-Forman Corp., says the spirits industry is not as consolidated as many people believe. Full story
Diageo Says It Supports “Return to Flexibility, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in American Whiskey”
Diageo tells their side of the Tennessee Whiskey battle with Brown-Forman. Full story
Start hoarding whiskey, a shortage is coming!
Sales of high-priced whiskeys have been on the rise, nearly doubling in the six years leading up to 2013. The growing affinity for brown spirits has been a boon to distillers like Brown-Forman, Beam, and Diageo, as well as many smaller whiskey makers. But demand has started to outstrip supply, and that could spell trouble. With this trend seemingly in full swing, is it time for whiskey aficionados to start hoarding their favorite hooch? Full story
Jack Daniel Distillery denounces proposed change in designation of “Tennessee Whiskey”
Saying that Tennessee Whiskey is “under attack,” the Jack Daniel Distillery today forcefully denounced legislation pending in the Tennessee General Assembly allowing for the reuse of barrels that its Master Distiller says will dramatically diminish the quality and integrity of the whiskey. Full story
Why is bourbon cool? Paul Varga knows.
Paul Varga, CEO of Louisville-based Brown-Forman Corp., gave attendees of Greater Louisville Inc.’s annual meeting on Tuesday night some pretty good insight on the topic. Full story
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