Distilling Industry in Kentucky

Baquie, former executive vice president of Brown-Forman and president of Canadian Mist division discusses marketing of distilled spirits, U.S. vs. Canadian regulations on the distilling industry, and size of distillery and its relation to sales.

Mr. Brown is chairman of the board of Brown-Forman, retired. He discusses family background, his own positions held in the company; financing of distillers in the 1930s, regulations of the industry; and marketing of distilled spirits.

Buckner, retired bank officer was involved in finance at Maker's Mark and other distilleries, discusses role in arranging financing of distilleries 1931 - 1970, especially Maker's Mark; his association with Bill Samuels, Sr. and the first mash ceremony.

Pat Carroll, machine operator for Brown-Forman, began employment with them in 1949. Had worked in the bottling house; talks about job clusters; also a little about being a woman in the industry.

Cecil, production manager, Maker's Mark, Loretto, Kentucky, discusses previous days at Maker's Mark, 1937 to the change of ownership.

Coleman was Brown-Forman advertising head and recently-retired BF Spirits division board chairman. Discusses early work with Seagrams and Schenleys; B-Fs Lennox acquisition; marketing in control states vs. open states; regional tastes in spirits; building a brand image.

Mr. Corcoran discusses the founding of the business Matt P. Corcoran Co. He speaks of the copper and brass smithing industry and alcohol taxes, and a mash-cooling patent that the company was unable to receive. Included are memories of his father and grandfather.

Crimmins, a longtime Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Commissioner, currently serves as Jefferson County ABC Administrator; discusses city and county politics, the ABC boards jurisdictions, and the Fair Trade Law and its impact.

Dailey is president of the Kentucky Distillers Association. He discusses the association, the Kentucky Fair Trade Law; Governor Chandler and the production tax; proposed legislation; and problems of the industry and their solutions.

Dorsey was senior vice president and executive director of finance and management information service for Brown-Forman, beginning in 1935. He is now retired. Discussion centers on financing of company, stock issues; Kentucky's state production tax on whiskey; advertising rates, pensions; and the 1956 Jack Daniel's acquisition.

Duncan, a barrel handler, Brown-Forman, talks about the duties of the positions he has held with B-F, the labor union at B-F and his duties as shop steward.

Dupps, an engineer with Schenley Distillers and with their Dickle plant in Tennessee, discusses Tennessee vs. Kentucky whiskeys, Brown-Forman's acquisition of Jack Daniel's, the Dickle "process." Also mentions Lou Rosensteil.

Ellerkamp, engineering executive with Brown-Forman, emphasizes the engineering aspects of the industry in discussing the bottling lines, transportation, warehousing, and the impact of the move of the distilleries from Louisville.

Nancy Farnsley discusses the distilling industry in general and Rebel Yell whisky in particular (Rebel Yell was a brand owned by her husband). Mentions H.F. Wilkie and Seagrams corporation; gives the Farnsley julep recipe at the end.

Foote, a master distiller with Old Fitzgerald Distillery, discusses his own career development, the route to becoming a master distiller; also discusses yeast as used in the distilling process. See also the interview with Roy Hawse, Foote's predecessor.

Talks about strikes at the plant.

Mr. Frazier, senior vice president, corporation secretary and member of the executive board of Brown-Forman discusses the company and the Brown family. He talks about his own work with the company, the marketing of whisky and labor conditions at B-F.

Genton, production operator, Brown-Forman, describes the process of making whiskey, the combination of jobs, and of computerization of his job.

Gootee, master distiller at Maker's Mark, Loretto, Kentucky, discusses his various jobs; talks about the government men; aging period; and yeast making.

Haney, a master distiller, is also plant manager of Seagram's Old Prentice Distillery at Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The discussion is a general one covering the many facets of the distilling industry's history and trends, as well as his positions as master distiller, quality control, and industry by-products manager.

Harrison, a truck driver with Brown-Forman describes his job and the mechanization of the warehouse; also talks about union activities.

Dr. Hatch and Dr. Carpenter are chemists and executive director and executive director, retired from the Distillers Feed Research Council. They discuss the Council, its funding and its research projects, which include work on the B-complex vitamins, distillery by products, animal nutrition; also discusses cooperation among researchers.

Hawes was the predecessor of Edwin Foote, master distiller at Old Fitzgerald Distillery. He talks about the history of the company, brand names, the job of master distiller, labor and personnel problems.

Mrs. Hawes, a machine operator at Brown-Forman, talks about line work in the bottling department and of women in the plant; discusses changes in product and in job atmosphere.

Henderson discusses the chemical, taste, and quality control aspects of distilling. Also discusses new product development and marketing.

Hoge, retired Brown-Forman advertising executive discusses marketing strategies on a regional basis and with control and non-control states; acquisition of Jack Daniel's and other products; the Distilled Spirits Institute and Owsley Brown.

As an employee in the engineering department of Brown-Forman, he discusses sanitary changes after World War II, capacity changes and water facilities. The interview also refers to the automation process implemented in the early 1940s and 1950s, as well as memories of various other employees.

A former Brown-Forman account executive and credit manager, Johnson discusses financing a distillery, working with banks, self-insurance pools, pension plans, and labor-management relations.

A sectional manager for Seagrams, Kahn talks about Seagrams' Louisville, Kentucky operation, cost saving devices installed, the personalities involved, including Fred Wilkie and Sam Brofmann; and unionization of the Louisville plant.

Ms. Keene is office manager of Barton Brands Distillery and discusses women in the distilling industry and the duties of her own position.

Discusses Schenley Industries, cooperage issues, and the distilling industry in general; Kleier was the former cooperage manager/superintendent for Schenley and Ancient Age Distillers.

Mr. Knopf is former vice president of Brown-Forman Distilleries. He talks about the industries cycles and the different distillery products.

Levitch, president of Crown distributors/wholesalers discusses the wholesale liquor business as it is practiced in Kentucky, Kentucky's political system, fair trade legislation, and the production tax and its affect on the industry.

Former president of Brown-Forman, Lucas talks of his involvement with the company from his first job in 1935 to his retirement in 1976. Talks about plant modernization, union activities, purchases such as Jack Daniel's, and the making of bourbon.

Luckett, a truck driver with Brown-Forman, describes his job, the changes which have taken place, and unions.

Interview concerns distilling and cooperage aspects of the industry, with special attention to the Schenley Company and Ancient Age Distillery; also discusses large vs. small distillers and brand predictions and marketing.

Meeks, of Independent Stave Company, Lebanon, Kentucky discusses the cooperage industry, from both the independent side and from the distiller's view; he is a past official with the Cooperage Association and talks about that industry group. He also worked for Seagrams.

Meeks, of Independent Stave Company, Lebanon, Kentucky discusses the cooperage industry, from both the independent side and from the distiller's view; he is a past official with the Cooperage Association and talks about that industry group. He also worked for Seagrams.

Miles, assistant manager, Maker's Mark, Loretto, Kentucky, discusses his own job; effects of Maker's Mark on the community; and future of bourbon industry.

Mr. Morehead, is a retired advertising executive from Brown-Forman. He talks about the "old" days from 1931 on and his friendship with the Brown family. He also discusses his career in the advertising department.

Mr. Moreman is the chief counsel for Brown-Forman. He discusses legal changes in the industry, patents, and the industry's position with congress.

Morris, former Brown-Forman vice president and general counsel, was also president of Canadian Mist and a Distilled Spirits Institute (DSI) official. His discussion gives special attention to legal issues of the industry and his work with DSI.

Mudd, head of quality control, Maker's Mark, Loretto, Kentucky, discusses his life and job.

Nally, employee in warehouse, Maker's Mark, Loretto, Kentucky, discusses his career at Maker's Mark and loyalty of workers.

Bobby Nash discusses his days in the advertising department of Glenmore Distillery. He also talks of the days of opposition to television, Heublein-Smirnoff, political figures, and bootlegging and events up to the 1980s.

Tommy Neal, a mechanic with Brown-Forman, talks about the different jobs he has done in the plant; also discusses women, Blacks, and labor unions.

Noe, vice president and master distiller, Jim Beam Distillery, gives a history of the company, discusses financing, bottle types, automation, and management changes and their effects. A fourth tape is a copy of a Jim Beam Company audio-visual presentation.

Interview concerns the distilling industry in general and the Seagrams company in particular; also discusses the wet-dry issue, Fred Wilkie, and ad valorem taxes.

Interview concerns the distilling industry in general and the Seagrams company in particular; also discusses the wet-dry issue, Fred Wilkie, and ad valorem taxes.

Former Brown-Forman advertising executive talks about the B-F market area, export markets, pricing structure, exclusive distributorships, training sales personnel, and advertising in 1950s and 1960s.

Phillips, of the Seagrams Lawrenceburg, Kentucky plant, worked in the fermenting room, the yeast room and for years was the union steward in that plant. He discusses plant production, the labor force and labor issues, and personnel problems. Please note: while there is a transcript of this interview, the audio recording has been lost.

Discusses developments and issues in the bottling aspect of the industry; also his recollections and observations on the distilling industry in general. Mr. Ritchie is a bottler with Barton Brands Distillery.

Rohe, a production operator with Brown-Forman, has worked with them since 1946. He talks about the effect of computers on his job, women in the labor force, safety problems.

Mr. Samuels, president of Maker's Mark Distillery, discusses his seventeen years with Maker's Mark, how he runs the company as opposed to his father's management, gives a historical perspective of the company and of distilling in Kentucky in general and talks about federal regulations and how they affect the industry.

Samuels, founder of Maker's Mark, Loretto, Kentucky, discusses early family and distillery history, work force; marketing strategy; and sales.

Schickel is in the receiving and dispatching department of Brown-Forman. He began as a forklift operator in the glass supplies warehouse and discusses the various jobs he has done at Brown-Forman. Discusses changes in Brown-Forman management over the years.

In two separate interviews Schupp, former president of Schenley Distilling Company, discusses his career with Schenley, his relations with Lou Rosenteil, politics and the distilling industry, and gives a general overview of the industry.

In two separate interviews Schupp, former president of Schenley Distilling Company, discusses his career with Schenley, his relations with Lou Rosenteil, politics and the distilling industry, and gives a general overview of the industry.

A former Kentucky state legislator and chief attorney for Kentucky Liquor Retailers Association, Shaikun discusses legislation aimed at the trade law; also discusses court cases in Kentucky and California dealing with fair trade.

Interview involves Heaven Hill Distilleries and the industry in general.

Shaver, former chief accountant for American Medicinal Spirits company, held a similar position with Schenley; discusses the problems of setting up accounting systems for distilleries; gives historical background on several former distilleries, such as Bernheim and National; talks about Lou Rosensteil; also about the production tax and other forms of taxation on distilled spirits.

The interview records the history of Vendome Copper and Brass Works as remembered by Tom Sherman, president of the company. Vendome was established in the early 1900s by Elmore Shermon, Sr., primarily to fabricate equipment for the distilling industry. The interview focuses on the four generations of the Sherman family who have owned and managed the business and discusses the evolution of the business from its early success in the 1910s, its immense challenges during Prohibition (1920-1933) and its various ups and downs since the repeal of Prohibition. It touches on customers, employees and their training, and how the company has adopted to the changing needs and requirements of the distilling industry and the other industries it serves. It provides personal anecdotes of Tom Sherman’s over fifty years with the business and addresses why Vendome has successfully outlived all its competitors.

Mr. Sherman, president of Vendome Copper & Brass Works discusses the foundation of the company. He also talks about other distilleries and the different cycles that evolved.

Mr. Sipherd was a chemist for National Distillers Company. He discusses his years of employment from 1933 to the present.

Smith is a Louisville wholesaler; he discusses the history of his changes in drinking habits, and gives reasons for decline in distributorships; also talks about the fair trade laws and their effect.

Smith, retired president, and chairman of the board, Jack Daniel's Distillery, discusses the industry in general and Jack Daniel's in particular. He talks at length about the Brown-Forman purchase of Jack Daniel's; also goes into production costs, competition, and management styles.

George W. Sonntag, Jr. was formerly Brown-Forman field sales and "control states" specialist. He talks about marketing of distilled spirits in general and more specifically in control states vs. open states; changes in proof; industry self-regulation and training for sales force.

Dr. Spanyer began with Brown-Forman as a chemist in 1936; notes changes in laboratories and distilling methods; research into new products and uses of by-products; discusses the chemistry of distilling.

Covers the distilling industry in general and Barton Brands in particular. Mr. Svihovec is a chemist and has administered the laboratory for Barton's for many years; he also talks about the history of whiskey.

Thomas, director of the laboratory at Brown-Forman distillers, emphasizes the chemistry-laboratory issues of the industry; talks about quality control, whiskey maturation; also discusses unionization and personnel issues.

Mrs. Thomas, "forelady" of bottlers at Maker's Mark, Loretto, Kentucky, discusses her career and family life.

Colonel Thompson, former president of Glenmore Distilleries, discusses the Prohibition era, Colonel Taylor, Green River Whiskey and various other notable figures in the distillery business. He also talks about the Kentucky distilling industry in general. Tape II is blank.

Thompson, Chairman of the Board of Glenmore Distillery, discusses the history of his company, company management, and distilling in general.

Tuggle, executive director, Kentucky Wholesale Dealers Association talks about fair trade laws, how one comes to be a wholesaler, the relationship between the Wholesale Association and the co-ops and chain distributors, and legislation concerning the industry.

Wadell, Brown-Forman's Director of Statistics and Marketing talks about the distilling industry in general and operations at Brown-Forman. Also talks about DISCUS and its research effort.

Walker discusses his personal history in conjunction with his long career in the distillery business. The focus of the interview is on the Old Yellowstone Distillery, cooperage and union issues.

Warns was a lawyer with Seagrams Distillery from 1939 to 1941; he talks about his work in personnel and industrial relations; labor law as it applies to the distilling industry; and gives his view of the Wilkie family and Fred Wilkie in particular; Warns is currently a professor of law at the University of Louisville.

Concerns the distilling industry, including information regarding the American Medicinal Spirits Company and National Distillers; also discusses the distillers' role during World War II and Kentucky's whisky production tax.

With Blue Grass Cooperage; discusses the cooperage aspects of distilling, pricing of materials and technology needed in that industry; also talks about regulation of cooperage.