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60-Year Master Distiller Receives Rare Title

A Master Distiller with 60 years of experience in the mix received a rare honor Tuesday in Lawrenceburg.

"Well, it was a surprise. I still can't get over it. I didn't have any idea they were doing this," Jimmy Russell said.

The celebration of the bourbon maestro's sixth decade at the helm of the Wild Turkey Distillery came as a surprise for the industry veteran, but the guest list was hardly a shock. Representatives from Kentucky’s legendary distillers – from Jim Beam to Maker’s Mark – were on hand to greet the newest Lifetime Honorary Member of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.

KDA president Eric Gregory says the job of Master Distiller involves a lot more than simply overseeing the day-to-day distilling process.

"It's a little bit art and science. He personally selects the barrels and makes sure all the bourbon that's coming out is the best bourbon. And he's also the ambassador for his brand, so Jimmy travels the world. He's been to Australia, Russia, Asia, you name it, tells people about Wild Turkey and he's also a great ambassador for the Commonwealth," he says.

Russell becomes only the sixth person to be awarded the Lifetime Honorary Member title in the association's 134-year history.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.
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