Brown-Forman Revives ‘Kentucky Boy’ Bourbon, Honoring Master Distiller Chris Morris’ 50-Year Legacy

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 8, 2026--

Brown-Forman Corporation today announced the debut of its newest whisky, Kentucky Boy, a revival of an historic brand honoring Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris for his monumental 50 years of service and innovation in the bourbon industry.

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Kentucky Boy is a rare, curated whisky crafted by Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall and Old Forester Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo in honor of their mentor. It is a one-time release, with a limited number of bottles.

McCall and Trigo created this exceptional expression that was inspired by whiskies that Morris developed during his legendary career including Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, King of Kentucky, and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked.

Kentucky Boy, presented at 100 proof and $99.99 manufacturer's suggested retail price, will debut September 10 at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, Kentucky. Beginning September 11 at 10am ET, bottles will be available in limited quantities at Old Forester Distillery in Louisville, in the online store at shop.oldforester.com for shipping to states where it is legal (D.C., KY, NE, NH, ND only), and at select Kentucky retailers. Guests are welcome to join us for a special Kentucky Boy release celebration with Chris Morris at the distillery on Friday, September 11 from 6:00-8:00pm ET.

Morris began his journey with Brown-Forman in 1976, eventually rising to become just the fifth Master Distiller in Old Forester history and the guiding force behind Woodford Reserve, now a global brand. Known affectionately across the industry as a true Kentucky legend, his dedication to flavor innovation helped usher in the global renaissance of premium bourbon.

Looking back on his 50-year contribution to Kentucky bourbon, Morris shared: “It has been an honor and a privilege to have played a role in the renaissance of Kentucky bourbon. Seeing consumers appreciate bourbon on a level historically afforded that of Single Malt Scotch and Cognac is most gratifying. I am confident that future generations of Kentucky bourbon distillers will continue to build upon the momentum we started nearly 50 years ago.”

To honor Morris’ half-century legacy, Brown-Forman turned to the Brown-Forman Archives to resurrect a historic brand name from its 150-year history. The Kentucky Boy label was originally acquired in 1923 when the company purchased Louisville’s Lynndale Distillery during Prohibition. Marketed through the 1940s under a thoroughbred racing theme, the dormant brand now returns from the archive vault to celebrate one of the bourbon industry’s true champions with an unprecedented blend that offers collectors a liquid timeline of Morris’ impact on the modern bourbon landscape.

Brown-Forman

Brown-Forman Corporation is a global leader in the spirits industry, responsibly building exceptional beverage alcohol brands for more than 155 years. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, we are guided by our founding promise, “Nothing Better in the Market.” Our premium portfolio includes the Jack Daniel’s Family of Brands, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, New Mix, el Jimador, Herradura, The Glendronach, Glenglassaugh, Benriach, Diplomático Rum, Gin Mare, Fords Gin, Chambord, and Slane. With approximately 4,900 employees worldwide, we proudly share our passion for fine-quality spirits in more than 170 countries. Learn more at brown-forman.com and stay connected with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

Kentucky Boy Straight Bourbon Whisky, 50% Alc. by Vol., Brown-Forman Distillery Co., Louisville, Kentucky. KENTUCKY BOY is a registered trademark. © 2026 Brown‑Forman. All Rights Reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

A portion of the net proceeds from Kentucky Boy bottle sales will benefit nonprofit Second Stride, a leading national equine adoption program dedicated to professional rehabilitation, retraining, and placement of retired Thoroughbred racehorses.

Kentucky Boy is a rare, curated whisky crafted by Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall and Old Forester Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo in honor of their mentor, Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris.

Brown-Forman Corporation announced the debut of its newest whisky, Kentucky Boy, a revival of an historic brand honoring Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris for his monumental 50 years of service and innovation in the bourbon industry.

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez has the long-term job security he’s been seeking all offseason.

Gonzalez has agreed to a four-year, $135 million contract with the New England Patriots that makes him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced the contract. One of the people said Gonzalez is getting $102 million guaranteed.

Gonzalez celebrated his new pact with the Patriots, reposting a report of the deal and writing, “Thank You Lord!” along with two praying hands emojis.

Gonzalez surpassed Devon Witherspoon's new contract from the Seattle Seahawks. Witherspoon received a four-year, $132 million deal with $101 million guaranteed last month.

The Patriots and Seahawks meet in a Super Bowl rematch to kick off the NFL season on Wednesday.

A first-round pick by Bill Belichick in 2023, Gonzalez was a second-team AP All-Pro in 2024 and made the Pro Bowl in 2025.

The Patriots picked up Gonzalez’s fifth-year option in April, meaning he will make just over $18 million in the final year of his rookie deal in 2027. The new pact will then begin in 2028.

Gonzalez has maintained the same posture throughout the negotiation process that began in March, showing up for all team activities since mandatory minicamp in May. But the length of the contract talks and his absence on the sideline for preseason games — even though New England’s starters didn’t play in any of the three — created some uncertainty about whether he’d be available for the regular season if the situation wasn’t resolved.

“Like I’ve said over these past weeks, days that I’ve talked to ya’ll, I’m focused on one day at a time. Kind of like, every other week, that’s how this business goes,” Gonzalez said over the weekend.

The Patriots now will have the anchor of their secondary, who since playing in only four games as a rookie in 2023 after a shoulder injury has started 30 games of the past two seasons, logging two interceptions and 21 pass breakups.

But the 2025 Pro Bowler's ability to lockdown opponents’ top receiving threats is a metric that doesn’t show up on a stat sheet. In last season’s Super Bowl loss to Seattle, Gonzalez served as the primary defender on Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Nijigba, helping hold him to four receptions for 27 yards on 10 targets.

Team owner Robert Kraft said in July that they had offered Gonzalez a contract that would make him the highest paid player in history at his position, but the two sides continued to differ on the exact terms of a new deal.

Those differences have now been resolved, just in time for the new season.

AP Sports Writer Kyle Hightower contributed to this report.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez catches a pass during an NFL football training camp, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez runs towards a practice field during the team's NFL football training camp, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)