Woodford Reserve names new master distiller

Brown-Forman has appointed Elizabeth McCall as Woodford Reserve Bourbon’s new master distiller.

McCall has been training for the position for more than 10 years and is Woodford Reserve’s third master distiller in its 26-year history.

She has taken over from Chris Morris, who has been named master distiller emeritus.

McCall said: “I am humbled to stand upon the foundation built by Chris Morris, who is one of the most well-known and respected master distillers in the world. I look forward to following in his footsteps and crafting the world’s finest Bourbon.”

McCall first joined Brown-Forman in 2009 as a member of the research-and-development department. Initially, McCall was tasked with setting up tasting panels to assess quality and consistency across the company’s portfolio.

Morris has been mentoring McCall since 2015 when she became master taster. In February 2018, McCall was appointed as Woodford Reserve assistant master distiller.

“I am proud of and confident in Elizabeth’s ability to maintain the award-winning flavour profile of the Woodford Reserve family into the next generation,” Morris commented.

“Her inquisitive nature bodes well for those who have come to expect innovative flavour concepts from our Master’s Collection and Distillery Series offerings. The future couldn’t be more promising for Woodford Reserve.”

Last month, Brown-Forman, whose portfolio also includes Jack Daniel’s, announced a number of new appointments, including the retirement of its vice-president and director of its global travel retail (GTR) Americas, APAC (Asia Pacific) and IMENA (India, Middle East and North Africa).