Interview with Harlen Wheatley, October 30, 2008

Interview Summary

Harlen Wheatley, from Florence, Kentucky, came to work at Buffalo Trace in 1994 after graduating college with degrees in chemistry and chemical engineering. In 2005, Wheatley became master distiller. In this interview, Wheatley explains what master distillers do, including their responsibilities in the distillery and with the public. Wheatley explains the origin of bourbon and defines bourbon. He describes the process of bourbon production, including the selection of ingredients, cooking, fermentation, distillation, aging, and tasting. Wheatley also talks about how variables in the different stages of production can affect bourbon's flavor. He explains that Buffalo Trace produces experimental bourbons to explore the effects of these variables. Wheatley then talks about the renaming of the distillery and the Buffalo Trace brand. He also discusses the future of the distillery and the bourbon industry as a whole.

Interview Keyword

Liquors--Gaging and testing Whiskey--Analysis Whiskey in Kentucky Yeast Alcohol--Law and legislation Chemistry.

Interview LC Subject

Bourbon whiskey Buffalo Trace Distillery Distillation Quality control. Wheatley, Harlen Wheatley, Harlen--Interviews Whiskey Whiskey industry--Kentucky Quality of products. Distillers

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.