‘We Are Honored to Honor Them’: Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Announces 5 New Inductees, Including Brown-Forman’s 1st Black Chemist
(Images: Kentucky Distillers’ Association)
The Kentucky Distiller’s Association announced on Tuesday the five inductees to the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame for the class of 2024. The honorees comprise Brown-Forman’s first Black chemist, a visitor center manager who took bourbon tourism to new heights and three distillery founders.
“Our signature Bourbon industry would not be what it is today without these distinguished honorees. Each put the industry before self, helping Kentucky cement its place in history as the international and undisputed home of Bourbon,” Kentucky Distillers’ Association President Eric Gregory said in a news release. “And now we are honored to honor them. On behalf of our signature industry, we offer congratulations – and a heartfelt thank you – to these Bourbon heroes.”
The class of 2024 will be officially inducted into the Bourbon Hall of Fame in September.
The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame’s inaugural class was inducted in 2001. The organization created the Hall of Fame to honor individuals who made outstanding contributions to the world of bourbon. Members of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association nominate individuals working in the industry whom they believe move the path of bourbon forward. It is considered the highest honor in the industry.
2024’s Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Inductees
Elmer Lucille Allen, Chemist, Brown-Forman
Elmer Lucille Allen was the first Black chemist to work at Brown-Forman — and quite possibly the entire bourbon industry. Brown-Forman owns major brands like Old Forester, Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniel’s. The 93-year-old Louisville native is an activist and continues to elevate African Americans with her work outside of the lab. Allen founded the Chickasaw Little League and championed African American art and artists.
Dee Ford, Chair, Kentucky Distillers’ Association Kentucky Bourbon Trail
A hospitality veteran, Dee Ford elevated the Kentucky Bourbon Trail to the stratosphere with her work. The 59-year-old Louisville local additionally worked with the major whiskey brand, Angel’s Envy, and helped the brand achieve worldwide recognition. Ford served as the Kentucky Distillers’ Association’s Chair since 2014 and has tirelessly championed bourbon culture.
Ken Lewis, CEO & Founder, New Riff Distilling
A 71-year-old Cincinnati native, Ken Lewis studied to become an English teacher in college but left the world of academia in favor of bourbon and left quite a legacy. Lewis advocated for Sunday bourbon sales and pushed the Kentucky government to allow retailers to use credit cards for transactions. A tireless supporter of retailers, Lewis founded The Party Source megastore, a liquor retailer. Ever the entrepreneur, Lewis switched gears and founded the wildly successful craft whiskey brand, New Riff Distilling.
Peter T. Loftin, Founder, Bardstown Bourbon Company
Peter T. Loftin founded the iconic Bardstown Bourbon Company. Though he sadly passed away in his Miami home in 2019, he left behind a legacy that forever changed custom whiskey production. Loftin elevated bourbon tourism by creating a bar and restaurant with every bourbon brand featured on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. He helped bring a “Napa Valley-style” experience with tours at Bardstown Bourbon Company, completely changing the landscape of bourbon tourism.
R.M. Corky Taylor, CEO, Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company
R.M. Corky Taylor hails from Henderson, Kentucky. After spending several years working in financial services, Taylor took the plunge and followed his lifelong dream of resurrecting his family’s whiskey company, Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. Taylor was always interested in his family history, and he spent countless hours delving into his ancestral roots with his son. Eventually, he resurrected Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company in Whiskey Row. The brand received critical acclaim, and he proudly carried on his family’s legacy.
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