Interview with Parker Beam, August 28, 2013

Interview Summary

Parker Beam, Master Distiller at Heaven Hill Distillery, talks about his beginnings at the distillery and how he worked his way up from the bottom to become a master distiller. He talks about the bourbon-making process and how the company maintains quality throughout each step. He talks about the history of single-barrel bourbons, specifically the Evan Williams brand. He talks about Heaven Hill as a family-owned business and the relationships between the various Kentucky bourbon distillers. He talks about his fame within the bourbon industry, travelling to various bourbon tastings, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. He discusses the future of the bourbon industry and what he believes to be his legacy.

Interview Keyword

bourbon bourbon industry and Bardstown Distillation. Distilleries--Kentucky Distillers. Heaven Hill Distilleries Master Distiller whisky whiskey

Interview LC Subject

Bourbon whiskey Whiskey industry -- Kentucky

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.