Elizabeth McCall, 35

Assistant Master Distiller Woodford Reserve, Brown-Forman, Louisville

Innovation nation

McCall is the second generation of her family to work in the spirits industry, taking after her mother who worked at the Seagram’s production facility in the 1970s and 80s. Since 2009, she has been a member of Brown-Forman’s research and development team, where she works alongside the master distiller, Chris Morris, to ensure high standards of quality and product innovation. McCall also works closely with Kentucky farmers to source local grain, rather than to rely on imports from Canada or Poland. This summer, she welcomed her first child, making her the first mother to be a distiller in Brown-Forman history.

Instagram: @elizabeth_oneill_mccall