The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame welcomed its 24th class of inductees on 20 September 2026, honoring seven industry figures at a ceremony in Louisville. The event drew a record crowd of more than 300 industry leaders and bourbon enthusiasts to The Marriott Louisville East, with a livestream extending the celebration worldwide.
The new members include Shane Baker and E. Patrick Heist, co-founders of Ferm Solutions and Wilderness Trail Distillery.
Also inducted were the late W.L. Lyons Brown Sr. and the late George Garvin Brown II, grandsons of Brown-Forman founder George Garvin Brown, recognized for building the firm into the largest Kentucky-based distilling company after Prohibition. Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) since 2008, was honored for his work on legislative reforms and expansion of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Author and journalist Fred Minnick was inducted for his role as one of bourbon’s modern storytellers, alongside John W. Schickel, a former Kentucky State Senator recognized for landmark alcohol law reforms.
Founded in 2001 by the KDA, the Hall of Fame is the highest honor given by the state’s $10.6 billion signature industry.
Kentucky produces 95% of the world’s bourbon, supports 24,000 jobs, and welcomes millions of Bourbon Trail visitors annually.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear provided welcome remarks at the ceremony, which was emceed by bourbon authority and author Susan Reigler.
“I am proud to join the Kentucky Distillers’ Association in helping celebrate these remarkable honorees and their contributions to Kentucky bourbon and our Commonwealth,” said Beshear. “The bourbon industry is essential to Kentucky as it supports good-paying jobs, our economy and our record-breaking tourism industry,” he added.
Gigi DaDan, chair of the KDA board of directors and general manager of Angel’s Envy, said the inductees embodied the industry’s spirit.
“Kentucky bourbon’s story has never been shaped by distillers alone. It has been built by innovators, entrepreneurs, advocates, storytellers and leaders who each found a way to move this industry forward,” DaDan said.
“Their accomplishments span generations and disciplines, but they share a common thread: a willingness to challenge the standards, invest in the future and help cement Kentucky’s place as the home of bourbon for the world,” she added.
Inductees are chosen annually by a blue-ribbon committee. No more than five honors are awarded each year across three categories.
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