Brown-Forman Just Revived Kentucky Boy Bourbon to Honor Chris Morris’ 50-Year Legacy

Historic Brand Returns for Limited Release Celebrating Master Distiller Emeritus.

Brown-Forman has revived its historic Kentucky Boy brand with a limited, one-time bourbon release honoring Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris and his 50-year career with the company. Kentucky Boy was created by Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall and Old Forester Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo, drawing inspiration from whiskies Morris developed throughout his career, including Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, King of Kentucky, and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked.

Kentucky Boy is bottled at 100 proof and carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $99.99. The bourbon debuted this past at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, Kentucky. Limited quantities were also available at the Old Forester Distillery in Louisville, through the Old Forester online store for shipping to D.C., Kentucky, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Dakota, and at select Kentucky retailers. A special Kentucky Boy release celebration with Morris took place at the Old Forester Distillery on September 11.

Chris Morris Celebrated After 50 Years at Brown-Forman

Morris began his career with Brown-Forman in 1976 and went on to become the fifth Master Distiller in Old Forester history and a key figure behind the development of Woodford Reserve into a global brand. His career has included a focus on flavor innovation and the development of premium bourbon expressions.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to have played a role in the renaissance of Kentucky bourbon,” Morris said. “Seeing consumers appreciate bourbon on a level historically afforded that of Single Malt Scotch and Cognac is most gratifying. I am confident that future generations of Kentucky bourbon distillers will continue to build upon the momentum we started nearly 50 years ago.”

Kentucky Boy Brand Returns From the Brown-Forman Archives

Brown-Forman turned to its archives to revive the Kentucky Boy name, which dates to the company’s 1923 acquisition of Louisville’s Lynndale Distillery during Prohibition. The brand was marketed through the 1940s with a thoroughbred racing theme before becoming dormant. The new release brings the historic name back as a tribute to Morris and his influence on modern bourbon.

A portion of the net proceeds from Kentucky Boy bottle sales will benefit Second Stride, a national nonprofit equine adoption program focused on the rehabilitation, retraining and placement of retired Thoroughbred racehorses.