Heaven Hill Founders
(NOTE: FOUNDERS ARE LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Heaven Hill Distilleries are an American family-owned and operated distillery company headquartered in the Bourbon Capital of the world, Bardstown, Kentucky. It is the second-largest bourbon distiller with the second largest inventory in the world.
This Founders page takes a deep look into Heaven Hill's two most influential families in Shapiras and the Beams. The five Shapira brothers and their decedents have run the business side of things so successful that the name Heaven Hill is recognized and consumed all over the world. The Beam family ran the distilling or whiskey production side of Heaven Hill.
1
Craig Beam
Craig Beam belongs to a group of Kentuckians sharing a common surname that reads like a map of whiskey history. Seventh generation by blood, Beam grew up in a world where the language of barrels and mash bills was passed down over kitchen tables as naturally as mashed potatoes.
2
Earl Beam
In 1955 Heaven Hill under Earl’s supervision filled their 500,000th barrel of bourbon. In 1957 Earl introduced what would go on to become their Flagship brand in Evan Williams. The brand was named after the very first licensed distiller in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and used “K. S. P. 1” plant number.
3
Mr. Joe Beam
Known as "Mr. Joe" Beam was Jim Beam’s cousin, he was the son of Joseph M. Beam, a distiller. Joe and several of his sons worked at the Stitzel Distillery in Louisville. After prohibition ended, Mr. Joe helped found and open the Heaven Hill Distillery. Joe's youngest son, Harry, remained at Heaven Hill as its first master distiller.
4
Parker Beam
Parker Beam is one of the greatest minds ever to have worked in the bourbon industry. He was named after Park Beam, his grandfather and legendary 5th generation Beam distiller, Jim Beam’s brother. Parker learned the art of making bourbon from his grandfather, and to a larger degree his father Earl Beam at Heaven Hill.
5
I. W. Bernheim
In 1872, the Bernheims opened their own liquor company, “Bernheim Brothers Distillery,” after a dispute with the owners at Loeb & Bloom over becoming partners with an interest in the business. The brothers contributed their life savings of $1,200 to help fund the $3,200 start-up. Isaac would also marry in 1874 to Amanda Uri Bernheim before the two brothers would begin production of their corn-based Kentucky whiskey in 1879, named I.W Harper.
6
Elijah Craig
Elijah Craig was born in 1743 in Orange, Virginia. Craig opened a distillery in 1789 and in June of that year, one of his barns burned down. Some were burned barrels were just on the inside and some not badly charred on the outside. Being a frugal man, he used them anyway.
On the 6 month trip down to New Orleans the burnt barrels imparted color and flavor. Consumers raved about that “Red Liquor from Bourbon County."
7
John E. Fitzgerald
The history of John E. Fitgerald is one full of mystery and intrigue, with tall tales and folklore dating as far back as 1870, then he was canonized when Stizel-Weller named the Old Fitzgerald brand after him. Fitzgerald was a bonded treasury agent, who at the time were the only people legally allowed to carry a second secured key to the barrel storage rickhouses.
8
David Hobbs
Hobbs was instrumental in lobbying the state of Kentucky for tax reform for distillers. The journey started back in 2009 when a group of Kentucky distillers held the “Bourbon Tea Party,” where they boldly poured America’s only Native Spirit on the steps of the Kentucky state Capitol in Frankfort to protest unfair tax increases. That was the shot that was heard around the world and helped begin the state’s $8.6 billion bourbon boom.
9
Larry Kass
In his 20 years at Heaven Hill Distillery, Larry Kass did it all. He handled public relations, legal, brand management, and many other tasks. The funny part about that is that when Larry got hired at Heaven Hill distillery, he didn’t know a lot about whiskey. He says, “My experience drinking bourbon began with drinking it warm from a Styrofoam cup outside a Charlie Daniels concert.”
10
Kate & Allan Latts
In 2001, Allan and Kate left Cincinnati and returned to Louisville to join the family business. Allan became the Director of Corporate Planning for Heaven Hill Brands in 2001. Later, in 2008 he would be named Chief Operating Officer. Kate arrived in 2001 and was immediately named Chief Marketing Officer.
11
Bernie Lubbers
Lubbers spent roughly twenty years as a touring stand-up comedian before formally entering the spirits industry. He grew up in Kentucky, where bourbon figured in family life; his father (also Bernie), who lived to age 94, was a bourbon drinker, and that heritage made a lasting impression on Lubbers, often presenting him with comedic material for his act.
12
Henry McKenna
Henry McKenna was born in Draperstown, County Derry, in Ireland in 1819 and moved to Nelson County, KY, in 1838. As a youth, Henry worked in an Irish distillery and a liquor store. McKenna is said to have been a stickler for sanitation. He never simply whitewashed his fermenting tubs with lime as most of the early distillers did to save time.
13
Conor O’Driscoll
Conor O’Driscoll stands as a distinguished presence in the world of American whiskey, blending deep scientific expertise with a rich appreciation for the artistry of bourbon. As the Master Distiller at Heaven Hill, O’Driscoll brings a unique international perspective, unwavering dedication, and a meticulous approach to his craft. His journey is a testament to the value of curiosity, lifelong learning, and respect for tradition.
14
Denny Potter
A bourbon lover might reckon that Denny Potter has, to this point, lived an occupational dream life. In moving about the distilleries of the Bluegrass State with a tenacity that could exhaust a Wildcat basketball scout, Potter’s expertise in spirit-making has been showcased at several major bourbon blue-blood brands. He has also captained a leading rum label and, to top it off, now co-owns and operates his own craft distillery.
15
Harry Shapira
Harry Spapira was the Executive Vice President at Heaven Hill's and led the creation and design the company's two new modern attraction centers: the Bourbon Heritage Center in Bardstown and the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in the Louisville on the city's historic "Whiskey Row."
16
Evan Williams
Evan Williams was born in Wales and moved to Kentucky in early adulthood. It was in 1783 that Evan Williams founded the first commercial spirit distillery "K.S.P. #1" Williams was the Harbor Master of Louisville. The harbor was located at the "Falls of the Ohio River" which was a major port for water traffic.
17
The Shapira Brothers
The Shapira family (brothers Gary, George, David, Ed and Mose) agreed to pay $17,500 to start a distillery that had no still, no brands, no inventory and no warehouses. On Dec. 13th, 1935, the first barrel was filled and a tradition started at Heaven Hill Distillery.
18
Max Shapira
Max Shapira was the only son of Ed, one of the five brothers who founded Heaven Hill Distilleries following the repeal of Prohibition. Max has been at the helm during a period of rapid growth and expansion and brand acquisitions which has tmade Heaven Hill the world’s second largest bourbon distiller by volume.