Elizabeth McCall

Elizabeth McCall never imagined she would become one of the most recognized young leaders in the bourbon industry. She serves as the Assistant Master Distiller at Woodford Reserve. But her original plan was far different—she once believed she was destined to become a therapist.

Born and raised in Kentucky, McCall earned both her undergraduate degree (2007) and Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology (2009) from the University of Louisville. After graduating, she landed a job in Brown-Forman’s research and development department. Although it didn’t seem like a direct fit for her psychology background, McCall soon found that her understanding of human behavior and sensory experience helped her excel in the company’s sensory lab.

She began in a humble role—washing dishes and setting up tasting panels. But her curiosity and drive quickly led her to a promotion as a sensory scientist. In that position, she traveled to Brown-Forman’s global production sites, including Finlandia in Finland, Chambord in France, Herradura in Mexico, Canadian Mist in Canada, and Jack Daniel’s in Tennessee. At each location, she helped teams improve their ability to nose and taste products and maintain quality across international brands.

Her talent and dedication caught the eye of Chris Morris, Master Distiller at Woodford Reserve. In 2015, he invited her to train as a Master Taster. She soon earned the title of Senior Quality Control Specialist and Master Taster. Just three years later, in 2018, she became Assistant Master Distiller—one of the youngest women ever to reach that position in the bourbon world.

At Woodford Reserve, McCall focuses heavily on quality control and teamwork. She believes in staying closely connected with the production staff, saying they are “the heart and soul of Woodford Reserve.”

Elizabeth McCall is married and has one child. She continues to balance her family life with her demanding and rewarding career. Her journey is a testament to how unexpected paths can lead to remarkable success.

Contributed by Rebecca Bryant, Louisville, Kentucky