Early Times Bottled in Bond is currently produced by the Brown-Forman Corporation, a renowned American spirits company. However, the history of Early Times and its transition to Brown-Forman is quite interesting.
To fully understand the story, we need to go back to the early days of Early Times. The brand was created by John Henry “Jack” Beam, the son of David Beam and the nephew of James Beauregard “Jim” Beam, the founder of Jim Beam Bourbon. Jack Beam was a distiller himself and decided to establish his own distillery in 1860, which was later named Early Times.
Early Times gained popularity over the years, and in 1923, it became one of the first bourbons to be labeled as “Bottled in Bond.” This designation meant that the bourbon had to meet specific legal requirements, including being produced by one distiller at one distillery during one distilling season and aged in a federally bonded warehouse for at least four years.
Fast forward to the 1940s, and the Brown-Forman Corporation came into the picture. Brown-Forman was already a well-established spirits company and saw the potential in Early Times. In 1945, they acquired the Early Times brand and its distillery, marking the beginning of their involvement with Early Times.
Under Brown-Forman's ownership, Early Times continued to thrive, and the company made significant investments in the brand. They expanded the distillery, updated production techniques, and increased marketing efforts to further establish Early Times as a respected bourbon in the industry.
However, it's important to note that in recent years, Brown-Forman made the decision to transition Early Times Bottled in Bond to their Woodford Reserve Distillery. This move was aimed at consolidating their production facilities and focusing on the Woodford Reserve brand. The Woodford Reserve Distillery, located in Versailles, Kentucky, is known for its meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail, making it a fitting new home for Early Times Bottled in Bond.
While the production of Early Times Bottled in Bond is now handled at the Woodford Reserve Distillery, it's worth mentioning that the legacy and traditions of Early Times remain intact. The expertise and experience of the distillers at Woodford Reserve ensure that the bourbon continues to uphold the high standards set forth by the Bottled in Bond designation.
Early Times Bottled in Bond is currently produced by the Brown-Forman Corporation at their Woodford Reserve Distillery. This transition has allowed the brand to benefit from the craftsmanship and expertise associated with Woodford Reserve while preserving the rich history and legacy of Early Times as one of the pioneering bourbons labeled as “Bottled in Bond.”