Bulleit/Diageo Whiskey Founders
(North American Founders Only)
(NOTE: FOUNDERS ARE LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
1
Barry Becton
As the “aughts” began, Diageo, as a multinational conglomerate, was then only about five years old, but the decade already saw the young company undergoing further change. The organization was seeking to focus heavily on its core assets, alcoholic beverages. Barry Becton was at that time a rising star at Diageo North America.
2
I.W. Bernheim
Things were moving fast for the two brothers – so much, two years later in 1872, they opened their own liquor company, “Bernheim Brothers Distillery,” after a dispute with the owners at Loeb & Bloom and with an interest in the business. The brothers are believed to have contributed their life savings of $1,200 to help fund the $3,200 start-up.
3
Augustus Bulleitt
Augustus Bulleitt’s story reads like a page torn from a frontier legend. Born in 1805 in Alsace-Lorraine, France, he grew up far from the rolling hills of Kentucky and the flickering glow of tavern lanterns. As a young man, at around age 28, he sailed to America as the frontier spirit of the new world called to him.
4
Tom Bulleit
Tom Bulleit devoted considerable attention to the developing American craft-cocktail movement. He personally introduced his bourbon to bartenders and other hospitality professionals, recognizing their importance in establishing demand. The bourbon's relatively high rye content made it particularly useful in cocktails.
5
Ralph Dupps
Ralph Louis Dupps graduated from Male High School and served as a pilot in World War 2. He graduated from the University of Louisville, and became a mechanical engineer. He eventually ran the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville after starting in the business working on boilers for the Shenley Corporation, which at the time was one of the largest liquor companies.
6
Andrew MacKay
Andrew MacKay’s early employment extended across whiskey production, maturation, quality control, and blending. MacKay subsequently credited the numerous experts he worked with throughout his career for helping him develop his understanding of whiskey and the demanding standards that were required.