Elizabeth McCall

Elizabeth McCall followed an unconventional path to become one of the leading figures in American bourbon production. Originally trained in psychology, she entered the spirits industry through an entry-level position in a sensory laboratory and advanced through the ranks of Brown-Forman Corporation. In February 2023, she became the third Master Distiller in Woodford Reserve's history and the first woman to hold that position. Her appointment placed her in charge of one of Kentucky's most recognizable premium bourbon brands and continued a tradition of whiskey-making established by her predecessors, Lincoln Henderson and Chris Morris.

McCall was born and raised in Kentucky, where she grew up with a family connection to the beverage alcohol industry. Her mother worked in the spirits business, making Elizabeth the second generation of her family to pursue a career in the industry. But her original professional ambitions were unrelated to whiskey. McCall attended the University of Louisville, earning an undergraduate degree in 2007 and a master's degree in counseling psychology in 2009. She initially planned to pursue psychological assessments and therapy, but her experience with the field led her to reconsider that career. Her educational background nevertheless provided a foundation for understanding human perception, an important element of sensory analysis and the evaluation of distilled spirits.

An unexpected opportunity introduced McCall to Brown-Forman, the Louisville-based company whose whiskey brands include Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, and Jack Daniel's. While attending a party for her younger brother, she learned from a family friend about an opening in the company's sensory department. She joined Brown-Forman in 2009 as a sensory technician within its research and development operations, beginning with basic laboratory responsibilities that included washing glassware, entering data, and organizing tasting panels. Despite possessing an advanced university degree, she accepted the entry-level position and began learning the technical requirements of evaluating alcoholic beverages.

McCall's early work concentrated on maintaining product quality and consistency across Brown-Forman's extensive portfolio. Sensory evaluation required trained individuals to identify aromas, flavors, and potential defects in distilled spirits, providing an essential quality-control function. She advanced to the position of sensory scientist and helped standardize evaluation procedures at the company's production facilities. Her responsibilities eventually took her to operations in Finland, France, Mexico, Canada, and Tennessee, where she trained employees in methods of nosing, tasting, and assessing the company's products.

These assignments gave McCall extensive exposure to different production techniques and distilled spirits, but bourbon increasingly became her professional focus. Her work included evaluating whiskey produced at Brown-Forman's American distilleries, particularly Woodford Reserve and Old Forester. She also became a Certified Specialist of Spirits, further establishing her technical credentials. The combination of formal sensory training, production experience, and direct contact with distillery personnel prepared her for responsibilities beyond laboratory analysis.

A decisive development occurred when McCall participated in an internal training program conducted by Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris. Morris had succeeded Lincoln Henderson in 2003 and was responsible for expanding Woodford Reserve's portfolio through innovations in grain selection, maturation, and barrel finishing. McCall's interest in the technical aspects of whiskey production attracted his attention, and he invited her to train for a position as Master Taster. Her formal preparation began in 2014, and in April 2015 she became Master Taster for both Woodford Reserve and Old Forester. The appointment brought McCall into closer contact with the production and development of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. Her responsibilities included assessing flavor consistency, participating in barrel selections, and educating consumers about the sensory characteristics of bourbon. She also worked with Morris on experimental products and learned the technical and operational considerations involved in developing new whiskey expressions. Their professional relationship developed into a long-term mentorship that would eventually prepare her to succeed him.

In 2016, McCall transferred to the Woodford Reserve operation, where she served as Senior Quality Control Specialist and Master Taster. Her responsibilities became concentrated on the bourbon produced at the historic distillery near Versailles, Kentucky. She worked with production personnel to establish and maintain the sensory standards required for each batch, helping ensure that Woodford Reserve retained its characteristic flavor profile. The position also gave her greater involvement in the distillery's production methods, maturation practices, and whiskey development programs. In February 2018, McCall was promoted to Assistant Master Distiller, becoming one of the youngest women to occupy such a senior production position in the American bourbon industry. Working directly with Morris, she participated in maintaining the quality of Woodford Reserve's established whiskeys while contributing to the development of experimental releases. Their work included the Master's Collection and Distillery Series, which explored variations in grain composition, barrel maturation, finishing techniques, and blending. The collaboration also prepared McCall for the responsibilities of directing the distillery's whiskey-making operations.

On February 6, 2023, Brown-Forman announced McCall's appointment as Master Distiller of Woodford Reserve, succeeding Morris after his two decades in the position. Morris assumed the title of Master Distiller Emeritus, remaining available to advise the distillery and participate in brand activities. McCall became responsible for overseeing quality standards, whiskey innovation, and the development of special releases. Her appointment represented both a significant personal achievement and an important milestone for women in Kentucky's bourbon industry. McCall's work as Master Distiller has included developing new expressions within Woodford Reserve's established whiskey portfolio. The 2024 Master's Collection Madeira Cask Finish demonstrated her approach to experimentation, combining whiskeys finished in Madeira wine casks with Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey. The resulting expression emphasized fruit, spice, and oak characteristics, marking the twentieth release in the Master's Collection. The project extended the distillery's longstanding interest in wine-cask finishing while incorporating McCall's expertise in sensory evaluation and blending.

Outside the distillery, McCall maintains a strong interest in horses, family, and community activities. She has served on the board of Green Hill Therapy, a Louisville nonprofit organization that uses horses in therapeutic programs, and her horse Cody Ko has participated in its work. McCall and her husband, Matt, live in Louisville with their two children, Winnie and Ferris. Her family life and equestrian interests remain important parts of her activities beyond the bourbon industry.

Elizabeth McCall's advancement from sensory technician to Master Distiller illustrates the increasingly important relationship between scientific evaluation and traditional whiskey production. Her career has encompassed laboratory analysis, international quality-control training, bourbon development, and executive responsibility for one of Kentucky's leading whiskey brands. As Woodford Reserve enters its fourth decade, McCall continues the work established by Henderson and Morris while directing new developments in maturation, blending, and flavor. Her leadership represents a continuation of the distillery's commitment to producing premium Kentucky whiskey through established craftsmanship and carefully controlled innovation.

Sources

1. Woodford Reserve official website, woodfordreserve.com

2. Brown-Forman Corporation, “Woodford Reserve Names Elizabeth McCall Master Distiller”, February 6, 2023, brown-forman.com

3. ReserveBar, “Behind the Brand: Elizabeth McCall, Master Distiller at Woodford Reserve”, Lee Diaz, reservebar.com

4. Imbibe, “Q&A: Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall”, Penelope Bass, March 6, 2023, imbibemagazine.com

5. Whiskey Advocate, “Woodford Reserve Names Elizabeth McCall Master Distiller”, Julia Higgins, February 7, 2023, whiskyadvocate.com

6. University of Louisville, College of Business, “UofL Alumna Becomes One of the Youngest Female Distillers in the Country”, August 8, 2024, business.louisville.edu

Contributed by Tracy McLemore, Fairview, Tennessee