Brown‑Forman Corporation has sold its Jack Daniel Cooperage in Trinity, Alabama, to Independent Stave Company – ISCO. The cooperage will continue to make barrels for the Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, as part of a strategic relationship between the companies.
“We believe that barrels are more than a container for our whiskey, they’re an important ingredient. This agreement helps ensure a steady supply of the same high-quality barrels at a competitive price to Brown‑Forman and Jack Daniel’s,” said Tim Nall, Chief Global Supply Chain and Technology Officer. “ISCO will continue to craft American White Oak barrels using the same meticulous process that we have for generations, keeping the quality and taste of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey consistent around the world.”
Brown-Forman sold many of its stave mills to Independent Stave Company in 2023.
Cooperage to be Renamed to Alabama Cooperage
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Brown-Forman celebrated the grand opening of the Jack Daniel Cooperage barrel-making plant on July 7, 2014.
ISCO will rename the cooperage from the Jack Daniel Cooperage to the Alabama Cooperage upon closing, expected by May 1, 2024.
“We are grateful to Brown‑Forman for the opportunity to craft barrels of the highest quality for their iconic brand, Jack Daniel’s. Alabama Cooperage will be a great addition to our existing network of mills and cooperages,” said Independent Stave Company CEO Brad Boswell.
“We will utilize our 112 years of industry experience to manufacture barrels to the exacting standards they have been adhering to in Trinity, Alabama, since it opened in 2014. Our team looks forward to welcoming the employees in Trinity to the Independent Stave Company family.”
Previously, Brown‑Forman sold stave mills in Alabama, Ohio, and Tennessee, to ISCO. Like these prior transitions, current cooperage employees will be offered employment by Independent Stave Company.
Sale Does NOT Include the Brown-Forman Cooperage in Kentucky
Brown‑Forman will maintain ownership and operation of the long-standing Brown‑Forman Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky. The Cooperage produces approximately half of the barrels for the Brown‑Forman portfolio of brands and enables ongoing barrel research, development, and innovation for brands and new expressions.
Brown‑Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life for more than 150 years by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Ready-to-Drinks, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Coopers’ Craft, The GlenDronach, Benriach, Glenglassaugh, Slane, Herradura, el Jimador, New Mix, Korbel, Sonoma‑Cutrer, Chambord, Fords Gin, Gin Mare, and Diplomático Rum. Brown‑Forman’s brands are supported by approximately 5,600 employees globally and sold in more than 170 countries worldwide.
Independent Stave Company is a dynamic, family-owned cooperage company reaching customers in more than 40 countries. Founded by the Boswell family, Independent Stave Company still embraces the core values of family, innovation, community, and hard work.
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