Brown-Forman Corporation | Brands, Portfolio & Company Information

About Brown-Forman Corporation

Brown-Forman Corporation is one of the largest American-owned spirits and wine companies, with a portfolio of premium brands sold in over 170 countries. The company's flagship brand, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, is the world's best-selling American whiskey and one of the top-selling spirits brands globally.

The company operates through a vertically integrated model, controlling production, aging, bottling, and distribution for many of its brands. Brown-Forman's distilleries include the Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee (one of the most visited distilleries in the world), the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky, and the Old Forester Distillery on Louisville's Whiskey Row.

Brown-Forman employs approximately 5,200 people worldwide and maintains production facilities in the United States, Ireland, and Mexico. The company's tequila brands, Herradura and el Jimador, are produced at the Casa Herradura distillery in Jalisco, Mexico.

History of Brown-Forman Corporation

Brown-Forman was founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown in Louisville, Kentucky. Brown was a pharmaceutical salesman who recognized the opportunity to sell quality whiskey in sealed glass bottles, a novel concept at a time when whiskey was typically sold from barrels. This innovation helped establish the company's reputation for quality and consistency.

The company survived Prohibition (1920-1933) by obtaining one of only a handful of licenses to sell whiskey for "medicinal purposes," allowing it to continue operations while most competitors were forced to close. This period of survival proved crucial to the company's long-term success.

The transformative moment in Brown-Forman's history came in 1956 when the company acquired the Jack Daniel's distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, for $20 million. Jack Daniel's became the company's most valuable asset and grew into one of the best-selling whiskey brands in the world. The brand's distinctive square bottle, black label, and association with Tennessee heritage have made it an iconic American product.

Over the following decades, Brown-Forman expanded its portfolio through acquisitions, adding brands including Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Herradura tequila, and el Jimador tequila. The company sold Southern Comfort in 2016 and Finlandia vodka more recently, choosing to focus on its core premium whiskey and tequila brands.

Brands Owned by Brown-Forman Corporation

Brown-Forman Corporation owns 1 brand in our database.

Jack Daniel's

Owned by Brown-Forman Corporation

American brand of Tennessee whiskey, one of the best-selling whiskey brands in the world.

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Stock Information

Brown-Forman Corporation Ownership: Pros & Cons

Advantages

+Brown family control provides long-term strategic stability spanning five generations
+Jack Daniel's is one of the most iconic and valuable spirits brands in the world
+Premium portfolio positioning benefits from the global trend toward premiumization
+Vertically integrated production model ensures quality control
+Products sold in over 170 countries provides geographic diversification

Considerations

-Dual-class share structure limits influence of public shareholders
-Dependence on Jack Daniel's for the majority of revenue creates concentration risk
-Global spirits market facing headwinds from declining consumption among younger demographics
-Approximately 600 layoffs announced as part of restructuring efforts
-Sale of Finlandia vodka reduced portfolio diversification

Frequently Asked Questions About Brown-Forman Corporation

Is Brown-Forman publicly traded?

Yes, Brown-Forman trades on the NYSE under ticker BF.B. However, the Brown family maintains controlling ownership through super-voting Class A shares, making it effectively a family-controlled public company.

Who founded Brown-Forman?

Brown-Forman was founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown in Louisville, Kentucky. The Brown family has maintained controlling ownership for over 150 years, spanning five generations.

Does Brown-Forman own Jack Daniel's?

Yes, Brown-Forman acquired the Jack Daniel's distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, in 1956 for $20 million. Jack Daniel's is the company's most valuable brand and one of the best-selling whiskey brands in the world.

What is Brown-Forman's annual revenue?

Brown-Forman generates approximately $4 billion in annual revenue from its portfolio of premium spirits brands sold in over 170 countries.

Where is Jack Daniel's made?

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey is produced at the Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, one of the oldest registered distilleries in the United States. The distillery is a major tourist attraction, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

About Brown-Forman Corporation

History of Brown-Forman Corporation