Bringing in the barrel
May 14, 2008 by Brad Luttrell
Filed under Audio Slideshow, Brad Luttrell, Multimedia
Jimmy Johnson, 92, brought in the six millionth barrel for Buffalo Trace distillery. Johnson, a retired employee of Buffalo Trace, has brought in every millionth barrel since prohibition. President and CEO of Buffalo Trace, Mark Brown, said that Johnson’s last millionth barrel was 27 years ago. At the pace of the market, Brown said they expect another millionth in 20 years.
What a wonderful way to celebrate the 6,000,000th barrel. Jimmy Johnson will always be pat of the Buffalo Trace Distillery, what ever they use to call the distillery before doesn’t matter. Jimmy and the distillery are a great testimony to Kentucky’s colorful history.
The main reason the Buffalo Trace Distillery has been repeatedly named the best distillery in the world is because it has the best employees in the world. People, like Mr. Johnson, who are passionate about what they do, generations of families working to uphold the traditions of the past, and a storied history dating back to the early 1800s make the distillery what it is today.
Mr. Johnson and Elmer T. Lee, I am glad to say I had a chance to know each of you personally.
This could not have happened to a more deserving man. A man who walks humbly with his God. I am proud to call him my friend.