Morris, Beam Top the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Class of 2025

The Kentucky Distillers Association has announced the Class of 2025 for the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, led by Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement Award winner Chris Morris. Brown-Forman’s Master Distiller Emeritus is being honored for his 50 years of contributions to the Bourbon industry

Other honorees include Craig Beam, a third-generation Hall of Fame inductee. The grandson of Earl Beam and the son of Parker Beam spent most of his career at Heaven Hill, and now is the master distiller at Jackson Purchase Distillery in western Kentucky.

The late Mary Dowling, the subject of the recent book “Mother of Bourbon,” is cited as the first woman to run a major Kentucky distillery when she took over the Waterfell & Frazier Distillery in 1903 following the death of her husband John. Dowling was a pioneer who overcame anti-Irish prejudice and gender barriers to become a successful Bourbon distiller in the pre-Prohibition era, and moved her entire distilling operations to Juarez, Mexico during Prohibition to keep supplying thirsty Americans.

Larry Ebersold spent most of his career at Seagram’s, but his biggest contributions have come in the craft distilling era. Ebersold has been involved in the construction of 31 distilleries since his retirement from Seagram’s, including Rabbit Hole, New Riff, and the Bardstown Bourbon Company.

Retired state senator Damon Thayer led the legislative efforts on the Bourbon industry’s behalf during his years in the Kentucky Senate, and is also a Bourbon bottler with his own Kentucky Senator Bourbon brand. Thayer recently expanded his bottling operations into Louisiana with the creation of Louisiana Senator Bourbon.

The induction ceremonies will be on September 16 at Log Still Distillery.