Brown‑Forman Corporation announced the sale of its cooperage in Trinity, Alabama, to Independent Stave Company (ISCO). The cooperage will continue to make barrels for the Jack Daniel Distillery as part of a strategic relationship between the companies. ISCO will rename the cooperage from the Jack Daniel Cooperage to the Alabama Cooperage upon closing, expected by May 1, 2024. Tim Nall, Chief Global Supply Chain and Technology Officer said:
“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."
“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.” Independent Stave Company CEO Brad Boswell said:
"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"
“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.
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.