an untold story of bourbon
photos & videos by Andrew Cenci
Much like the bourbon fungus revealed by distillery vapors, this shadowed history is coming to light through the ongoing pursuit of truth and justice.
I
Woodford Co.
Rival geography can be characterized by motion; the movement of bodies, objects and information through a space over time. The Jack Jouett House is a historical site in Woodford County, Kentucky and also the location of a farm distillery that was built and operated by enslaved people on the property in the 1800s. The story of a revolutionary war hero is rivaled and overshadowed by the darker and more pressing history of the enslaved people who lived on his property. In 1814, before moving from the area Jack Jouett put an ad in a Lexington, KY newspaper listing his master distiller for sale, ending his distilling operation. However the prevalence of similar distilleries in the area is known, but have not had archeological attention.
II
Freedom
The second section looks at sections of the underground railroad, and its connection to the water and distilleries on the Ohio River that separates Kentucky and Ohio, enslavement and freedom.
III
Making History
Freddie Johnson Jr.
Freddie Johnson Jr. is first Black person inducted into the Bourbon Hall of Fame, a VIP tour guide at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY, which is the oldest continually operating distillery in the US. His Grandfather started working at the distillery in 1912, followed by his Father, and now him.
Brian West
Brian West is a Louisville Artist who is part of a project called, “Unfiltered Truth Collection of Multicultural Experiences presented by Louisville Tourism”. He performs guided tastings that take you through history and the contributions of Black Americans within the bourbon industry.
Elmer Lucile Allen
Elmer Lucile Allen photographed in the lab where she was the first black chemist in the history of Brown Forman which is one of the worlds largest bourbon producers. Born in 1931, Elmer Lucile Allen became the senior chemist working there for 31 years before retiring in 1997.
