Key Stats
Founded: 1870
Headquarters: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Founder: George Garvin Brown
Chairman: Campbell P. Brown (since 2021)
CEO: Lawson Whiting
Employees: ~5,400
Net Sales: $4.18 billion (Fiscal 2024)
Stock Exchange: NYSE: BFA (Class A), BFB (Class B)
Brown-Forman Corporation is one of the largest American-owned spirits and wine companies in the world. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, the company manufactures and markets a portfolio of more than 25 brands sold in over 170 countries, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Herradura tequila, and Chambord liqueur. Brown-Forman was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1933 and maintains a dual-class stock structure, with the Brown family controlling over 70% of the voting shares.
The company was founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown, a pharmaceutical salesman who pioneered the practice of selling bourbon in sealed glass bottles—a revolutionary concept at a time when whiskey was sold from barrels and subject to tampering and inconsistent quality. His founding brand, Old Forester, remains in production today as the first bourbon to be sold exclusively in sealed bottles. Brown-Forman survived Prohibition by obtaining one of only six federal licenses to produce medicinal whiskey, and went on to acquire the Jack Daniel’s distillery in 1956, transforming the company into a global spirits leader.
Brown-Forman remains a family-controlled company more than 150 years after its founding. Approximately 40 members of the Brown family, descendants of founder George Garvin Brown, collectively control the majority of voting shares. In January 2021, George Garvin Brown IV retired as Chairman and was succeeded by his brother Campbell P. Brown. In fiscal 2024, the company reported net sales of $4.18 billion, with the Jack Daniel’s family of brands accounting for approximately half of total revenue.
Brown-Forman History
1870
Company Founded
George Garvin Brown, a 24-year-old pharmaceutical salesman in Louisville, founds J.T.S. Brown and Brother with his half-brother. Brown pioneers selling bourbon in sealed glass bottles to guarantee quality and consistency—the first company to do so. His brand, Old Forester, is named after a Louisville physician.
1890
Brown-Forman Name Adopted
After several partnership changes (Brown-Chambers in 1884, Brown-Thompson in 1881), George Garvin Brown partners with his accountant and friend George Forman, establishing the Brown-Forman name that endures today.
1901
First Distillery Acquired
Brown-Forman is formally incorporated. Following George Forman’s death, Brown purchases his partner’s shares. The company acquires the B.F. Mattingly Distillery in St. Mary’s, Kentucky, establishing its first distilling operations.
1920-1933
Prohibition Era
Brown-Forman obtains one of only six federal licenses to produce medicinal whiskey during Prohibition, allowing the company to survive. George Garvin Brown dies in 1917; his son Owsley Brown takes over as president. In 1933, Brown-Forman is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
1956
Jack Daniel’s Acquired
Brown-Forman acquires the Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, in a transformational deal that makes the company a major player in the global spirits industry. Jack Daniel’s becomes the company’s flagship brand and remains so today.
1996-2007
International Expansion
Brown-Forman acquires Woodford Reserve (1996), launches it as a premium bourbon brand. Finlandia Vodka is acquired in 2004. In 2006, the company acquires Chambord liqueur for $255 million. Casa Herradura (premium tequila) is acquired in 2007 for $776 million.
2016-2022
Portfolio Reshaping
Brown-Forman sells Southern Comfort and Tuaca in 2016 to focus on premium spirits. The company acquires the BenRiach Distillery Company (three Scotch whisky brands) in 2016 and Slane Castle Irish Whiskey in 2015. In 2020, the company celebrates its 150th anniversary and acquires Gin Mare and Diplomático rum in 2022.
2023-2025
Portfolio Optimization
Brown-Forman sells Finlandia vodka for $220 million (November 2023) and Sonoma-Cutrer wines (April 2024) to focus on premium whiskey and tequila. In January 2025, the company announces plans to reduce its workforce by 12% (approximately 650 employees) to optimize its cost structure.
Founder: George Garvin Brown
George Garvin Brown (1846-1917)
George Garvin Brown was born in Munfordville, Kentucky, on September 2, 1846. He moved to Louisville in 1862 during the Civil War and attended Male High School before beginning his career as a pharmaceutical salesman. In that role, he frequently heard complaints about the inconsistent quality of medicinal whiskey, which was sold from barrels and subject to tampering by retailers.
In 1870, at age 24, Brown founded J.T.S. Brown and Brother with his half-brother, using approximately $5,500 in saved and borrowed money. His innovation was bottling bourbon in sealed glass bottles at the distillery rather than shipping it in barrels—ensuring that customers received the same quality product every time. He placed his signature on every bottle of Old Forester as a personal guarantee of quality, a practice that predated the federal Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897.
Brown became the first president of the National Liquor Dealers’ Association in 1894 and was a vocal opponent of prohibition, publishing “The Holy Bible Repudiates Prohibition” in 1910. He married Amelia Bryant Owsley in 1876 and had two sons, Owsley and Robinson. Brown died in 1917 and was buried in Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville. His descendants continue to control the company today.
Brown Family Ownership
Brown-Forman has remained under family control for more than 150 years, making it one of the oldest family-controlled spirits companies in America. The company operates with a dual-class stock structure: Class A shares (BFA) carry voting rights and are thinly traded due to family ownership, while Class B shares (BFB) are non-voting and more widely held.
Approximately 40 members of the Brown family—all descendants of founder George Garvin Brown—collectively control more than 70% of the voting shares. As of 2016, Forbes estimated the Brown family’s net worth at $12.3 billion, ranking them among America’s wealthiest families.
The tradition of family leadership continues through multiple generations. George Garvin Brown IV served as Chairman until his retirement in January 2021, when his brother Campbell P. Brown succeeded him. The family has long embraced nepotism as company policy, publicly stating in 1945 that it was good for business and encouraging children and grandchildren of employees to work for the company.
Brand Portfolio
Brown-Forman owns and markets a portfolio of more than 25 spirits brands across multiple categories. Following the sale of Finlandia vodka (2023) and Sonoma-Cutrer wines (2024), the company has focused on premium American whiskey and tequila as its core growth drivers.
American Whiskey
- Jack Daniel’s – Tennessee whiskey, the company’s flagship brand; includes Old No. 7, Gentleman Jack, Single Barrel, Tennessee Honey, Tennessee Fire, Tennessee Apple, and ready-to-drink products
- Old Forester – Kentucky straight bourbon; the company’s founding brand (1870)
- Woodford Reserve – Premium Kentucky bourbon; one of the company’s fastest-growing brands
Scotch Whisky
- GlenDronach – Highland single malt Scotch (acquired 2016)
- BenRiach – Speyside single malt Scotch (acquired 2016)
- Glenglassaugh – Highland single malt Scotch (acquired 2016)
Other Spirits
- Herradura – Premium tequila (acquired 2007)
- el Jimador – Tequila (acquired 2007)
- Diplomático – Super-premium Venezuelan rum (acquired 2022)
- Gin Mare – Ultra-premium Mediterranean gin (acquired 2022)
- Chambord – Black raspberry liqueur (acquired 2006)
- Fords Gin – London dry gin (acquired 2019)
- Slane – Irish whiskey (acquired 2015)
- Korbel – California champagne and brandy
Brown-Forman Revenue
Brown-Forman’s fiscal year ends April 30. The company has faced headwinds in recent years including distributor inventory adjustments and challenging market conditions, partially offset by growth in premium brands like Woodford Reserve.
Brown-Forman Competitors
Brown-Forman competes with global spirits conglomerates across multiple categories, particularly in whiskey and tequila.
| Company | Headquarters | Key Brands |
|---|---|---|
| Diageo | London, UK | Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Guinness, Crown Royal |
| Pernod Ricard | Paris, France | Absolut, Jameson, Chivas Regal, Martell |
| Beam Suntory | Deerfield, IL | Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Hibiki, Knob Creek |
| Bacardi | Hamilton, Bermuda | Bacardi, Grey Goose, Patrón, Dewar’s |
| Constellation Brands | Victor, NY | Casa Noble, High West, Corona, Modelo |
| Campari Group | Milan, Italy | Campari, Wild Turkey, Grand Marnier, Aperol |
| William Grant & Sons | Dufftown, Scotland | Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Hendrick’s |
| Rémy Cointreau | Paris, France | Rémy Martin, Cointreau, The Botanist |
| Moët Hennessy (LVMH) | Paris, France | Hennessy, Moët & Chandon, Glenmorangie |
| Sazerac Company | New Orleans, LA | Buffalo Trace, Fireball, Southern Comfort |
FAQs
Who owns Brown-Forman?
Brown-Forman is a publicly traded company (NYSE: BFA, BFB) but remains controlled by the Brown family, descendants of founder George Garvin Brown. Approximately 40 family members collectively own more than 70% of the voting Class A shares. The company operates with a dual-class stock structure where Class A shares carry voting rights (controlled by the family) and Class B shares are non-voting (widely held by public investors). Campbell P. Brown has served as Chairman since January 2021.
When did Brown-Forman acquire Jack Daniel’s?
Brown-Forman acquired the Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, in 1956. This acquisition transformed Brown-Forman from a regional bourbon producer into a global spirits company. Jack Daniel’s became the company’s flagship brand and today accounts for approximately half of Brown-Forman’s total revenue. The Jack Daniel’s family of brands includes Old No. 7, Gentleman Jack, Single Barrel, Tennessee Honey, Tennessee Fire, Tennessee Apple, and various ready-to-drink products including the Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD launched in 2023.
What is Brown-Forman’s flagship brand?
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey is Brown-Forman’s flagship brand, acquired in 1956. However, the company’s founding brand is Old Forester, a Kentucky straight bourbon that has been continuously produced since 1870. Old Forester was the first bourbon sold exclusively in sealed bottles and remains in production today. Woodford Reserve, another premium bourbon in the portfolio, has become one of the company’s fastest-growing brands in recent years.
How did Brown-Forman survive Prohibition?
Brown-Forman was one of only six distilleries in the United States granted a federal license to produce medicinal whiskey during Prohibition (1920-1933). Whiskey was still legally available by prescription for medicinal purposes, and Brown-Forman’s license allowed it to continue operations when most competitors were forced to close. The company also received permission in 1929 to distill new whiskey to replenish depleting medicinal stocks. This strategic positioning allowed Brown-Forman to emerge from Prohibition with its operations intact and ready to capitalize on the return of legal alcohol sales.
What happened to Southern Comfort?
Brown-Forman sold Southern Comfort and Tuaca brands in 2016 to the Sazerac Company. The sale was part of Brown-Forman’s strategy to focus on premium spirits, particularly its core whiskey and tequila brands. The company has continued this portfolio optimization by selling Finlandia vodka to Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company for $220 million in November 2023 and divesting Sonoma-Cutrer wines in April 2024.