The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame inducted its 2025 class into its ranks before a record crowd of more than 300 industry legends and luminaries in Nelson County. 

Inductees include a longtime legislative champion, a trailblazing female entrepreneur, a key architect of the craft distilling boom, a 7th-generation distiller of a storied Bourbon family and a 50-year veteran whose name is synonymous with whiskey quality, integrity, and leadership. 

The exclusive annual event was held at The Legacy at Log Still Distillery in Nelson County in front of a sold-out crowd, and was streamed live online to share America’s only native spirit with thousands of global fans. 

Founded in 2001 by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® recognizes individuals who have made a transformational impact on Bourbon’s stature, growth and awareness. 

It is the highest honor given by the state’s $9 billion signature industry.  

“Today we celebrate five remarkable heroes whose shared vision and tireless efforts have elevated Kentucky Bourbon to greatness,” KDA President Eric Gregory said in a news release. “We owe them all our profound thanks and gratitude for their extraordinary achievements.

“And though their individual success has left an indelible mark on our industry, their induction also reminds us that our strength lies in working together, honoring our past while forging a future bound by 200 years of unity and excellence.”

This year’s inductees are, in alphabetical order:  

• Craig Beam, 66, Bardstown, Ky. A seventh-generation distiller, Beam learned the art and science behind crafting great whiskeys under the tutelage of his grandfather, Earl, and father, Parker, both legendary Master Distillers and Bourbon Hall of Fame inductees from Heaven Hill Distillery. Now in his fourth decade, Craig is showcasing his award-winning talents and continuing his legacy as Master Distiller at Jackson Purchase Distillery in Western Kentucky, one of the Commonwealth’s fastest-growing contract distillers. 

• The late Mary Dowling, Lawrenceburg, Ky. An acclaimed symbol of resiliency and pioneering spirit, Mary Dowling was born in 1859 to Irish immigrants and overcame anti-Irish sentiments and gender barriers to become a trailblazing Bourbon icon. The first woman to run a major distillery in 1903, Dowling audaciously moved production to Mexico during Prohibition. A pillar of her Lawrenceburg, Ky. community and clearly ahead of her time, Dowling built churches, championed immigrant, black and women’s rights and opened a free hospital before her death in 1930. 

• Larry Ebersold, 75, Hebron, Ky. Ebersold’s decades-long career, blending corporate experience at Seagram’s with entrepreneurial consulting, has left an indelible mark on the modern Bourbon and rye whiskey industry. A key architect of the craft distillery boom, Ebersold’s expertise has shaped facilities for 31 distilleries, including New Riff, Rabbit Hole and Bardstown Bourbon, collaborating with architects and engineers to design innovative production spaces. 

• Chris Morris, 67, Louisville, Ky. Recipient of the prestigious Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement Award. 50-year veteran of the Kentucky Bourbon industry, Morris’ craftsmanship and integrity is hailed around the world for elevating Brown-Forman’s whiskey portfolio and crafting innovative brands such as Woodford Reserve Double Oak and its vaunted Master’s Collection. Morris also is one of the industry’s most respected historians, a three-time Chairman of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association Board of Directors, and a cherished mentor to his successor Elizabeth McCall, all of which has solidified his lasting, lifelong impact on Kentucky Bourbon. 

• Damon Thayer, 57, Georgetown, Ky. One of the strongest champions of Kentucky Bourbon in the history of the Kentucky General Assembly, retired Senate Majority Leader Thayer is directly responsible for stewarding more than 20 pieces of legislation that modernized Kentucky’s signature industry, propelled its amber nectar into an unprecedented golden age and transformed distilling into an economic and tourism powerhouse for the Commonwealth. 

Inductees are selected each year by a blue-ribbon committee consisting of all recipients of the Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement Award, the Chair of the KDA Board of Directors, the Governor of the Order of the Writ – Spirit of Kentucky Bourbon Society, and the KDA President.

Parker Beam recipients are Jimmy Russell, Master Distiller of Wild Turkey; Bill Samuels, Jr., Chairman Emeritus of Maker’s Mark; Max Shapira, Executive Chairman of Heaven Hill Brands; Even Kulsveen, Executive Director of Willett Distillery, and Ken Lewis, founder of New Riff Distilling and the current Chairman of the KDA Board of Directors. 

Other members of the 2025 selection committee were Chris Morris, Governor of the Order of the Writ, Master Distiller Emeritus at Brown-Forman Corp. and Treasurer of the KDA Board; Gigi DaDan, General Manager of Louisville Distilling Co. and D’USSE Cognac, and Vice Chair of the KDA Board; and noted author Dixie Hibbs of Bardstown, who was appointed by Gregory. 

Every year, the group carefully reviews applications submitted by KDA member distilleries through a comprehensive and confidential application process. No more than five inductees are approved each year, further establishing the Hall of Fame as an elite honor. 

The 2025 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame ceremony was presented by Buzick Construction. Additional sponsors include Bardstown Florist, Bardstown Tourism, Brindiamo Group, Independent Stave Company, Kroger Co., Log Still Distillery, RunSwitch PR, Vendome Copper & Brass Works Corp., and Wiltshire Pantry.  

Bardstown Tourism was the sponsor of the signature toast, with Lux Row’s Four Grain Double Single Barrel. 

The livestream of the induction ceremony was sponsored by Kroger Co. and facilitated by RunSwitch PR. It can be viewed on the Kentucky Distillers’ Association’s YouTube page. 

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