Eric Gregory
By Scott White
Woodford Sun Staff
Report for America corps member
Eric Gregory, a long-time resident of Midway and president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association since 2008, was inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame as part of its 24th class and was also the recipient of the Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement Award at a Sept. 24 ceremony in Louisville.
The ceremony and dinner drew a crowd of over 300 who also heard remarks from Gov. Andy Beshear before a crowd of 300. The KDA Hall of Fame was founded in 2001.
The KDA Hall of Fame “recognizes individuals who have made a transformational impact on bourbon’s stature, growth and awareness,” according to a news release.
Gregory was selected based on his “leadership and passion (which has seen) Kentucky Bourbon experience unprecedented growth, modernization and global recognition . . . (and) helped transform the industry through landmark legislative reforms, expansion of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour and unifying distillers of all sizes under a shared vision,” according to the release.
“Over the past 20 years, I’ve had the extraordinary privilege of witnessing Kentucky Bourbon’s remarkable growth firsthand—and, more importantly, of working alongside the people who made that growth possible,” Gregory told the Sun. “This industry is about so much more than a great spirit. It represents generations of craftsmanship and tradition, creates good jobs, drives tourism and investment, and brings tremendous pride to communities across the commonwealth. Being inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame is especially meaningful because it connects my journey to the people who built this industry and paved the way for the success we see today.”
Also inducted into the KDA Hall of Fame were: Shane Baker and Patrick Heist, Danville, co-founders of Ferm Solutions and Wilderness Trail Distillery; W.L. Lyons Brown Sr. and George Garvin Brown II, both deceased, Louisville, both grandsons of the founder of Brown-Forman who played transformative roles in building Brown-Forman into the largest Kentucky-based distilling company following Prohibition; Fred Minnick Jr., Louisville, an author, journalist and storyteller; and John W. Schickel, Union, who as a state senator helped modernize Kentucky’s regulatory landscape and strengthen the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.