Trade organisation The Kentucky Distillers’ Association has appointed Brown-Forman’s master distiller as its chair for a third stint.
The body, which held its AGM late last month, will see Chris Morris assume the role again for the 12 months of 2023. Morris, who is also VP of ‘whiskey innovation’ at the Jack Daniel’s brand owner, was previously chair in 2010 and 2016.
The other board members elected for next year are:
- Heaven Hill CCO & general counsel Jessica Pendergrass [vice chair]
- Rabbit Hole Distillery founder, CEO & whiskey maker Kaveh Zamanian [secretary]
- Four Roses COO & director of distillery Ryan Ashley [treasurer]
- Bardstown Bourbon Co CFO Ingrid Gentry
- Castle & Key Distillery co-founder Will Arvin
- Diageo North America VP of distillation & maturation in NA Antoine Smith
- James B. Beam Distilling Co VP of Bourbon affairs in Kentucky Kevin Smith
- Louisville Distilling Co GM Gigi DaDan
- Lux Row Distillers VP of HR Erika Lapish
- Michter’s Distillery COO & master of maturation Andrea Wilson
- White Dog Trading & Storage president Tyler Harris
- Wild Turkey government relations & sustainability director for NA Marco Barassi
- Wilderness Trail Distillery co-founder & CEO Shane Baker, and
- Willett Distillery president Britt Kulsveen
According to the KDA, which represents 40 companies, around 95% of all Bourbon hails from Kentucky.
In its latest report on the state of Kentucky’s distilled spirits industry, the organisation noted a marked fall in exports of whiskey from the state in 2020, after retaliatory tariffs were introduced on American whiskey shipments by the EU and UK in a row with then-US President Donald Trump. The 25% duty rise was suspended by the EU late last year and by the UK in March.
To view the KDA's most recent impact report, published in January, click here.
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