Kentucky Distillers Assn. Honors Brown-Forman's Chris Morris with Lifetime Award

Kentucky Distillers’ Association said Brown-Forman Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris has been honored with the Association’s Lifetime Honorary Board Member designation, making him just the eighth person to receive the distinction.

Morris, 68, this year celebrated 50 years of distinguished service to the Bourbon and distilled spirits industry, and recently announced he was stepping down as a KDA Board member after 20 years of leadership. 

Morris has dedicated half-century of service to the distilling industry and two decades of leadership on the KDA Board, advancing the industry in transformative ways. This honor also comes with the new establishment of an endowed scholarship in his name which will be given every year to a student in the Distillation, Wine, and Brewing program at the University of Kentucky’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. 

KDA Board Chair Gigi DaDan declared that the “KDA Chris Morris Distillation Excellence” scholarship will be given every year to a student in the Distillation, Wine and Brewing program at the University of Kentucky’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. 

Preference will be given to students pursuing spirits research initiatives or demonstrating an interest in the history of Bourbon, spirits and distillation, as Morris is widely recognized and respected as one of Bourbon’s chief historians. 

“Chris has dedicated his career to sharing his knowledge, championing innovation and mentoring the next generation of industry leaders. This scholarship is a fitting tribute to his legacy and a way to ensure his passion for Kentucky’s distilling heritage continues to inspire future generations," DaDan said.

Morris first joined the KDA family in 1991 on its Marketing Committee that later oversaw the creation of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tourism attraction, and was appointed Director for Brown-Forman in April 2007.

He is the only person this century to serve three terms as Chairman of the KDA Board, and also has served in every KDA Board leadership role including Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Immediate Past Chairman over the last two decades. 

He also has served as Chairman of the KDA Bylaws Committee, Chairman of the Membership Standards Advisory Group, and as the only Governor of the Order of the Writ® - Spirit of Kentucky Bourbon Society, which he helped found in 2015.