Long before Elijah Craig became known as the Father of Bourbon, he was a preacher, an educator, and an entrepreneur with a spark for building what didn’t yet exist. Paper mills. Wool mills. And a new way of aging Whiskey.

In 1789, Elijah Craig stored his Whiskey in charred oak barrels, a technique that was not common practice at the time, but essential to Bourbon as we know it today. Some say the barrels caught fire by accident. Others claim it was intentional. Either way, the flavor told the story: deeper color, richer taste, unmistakable character. A true American original.

More than two centuries later, that same spirit of discovery lives on, not just in our barrels, but in the people who craft, innovate, and push us forward. The brand stands as the #5 Super Premium Bourbon by volume in the United States and this year, Elijah Craig’s inaugural Barrel Proof Rye expression was named Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year. Behind those milestones is a culture of shared commitment across distillation, warehousing, marketing, innovation, and every role in between.

From meeting new Bourbon-lovers as the Official Bourbon of the PGA of America, to giving back to the causes that matter to its consumers, the brand continues to grow its presence and support its community with purpose. Through a partnership with the University of Kentucky’s Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies, Elijah Craig is supporting academic research that helps shine a spotlight on critical voices and stories from throughout Bourbon history. Additionally, over the past six years Elijah Craig’s Old-Fashioned Week has raised more than $600,000 in total donations for charitable causes, including the Southern Smoke Foundation, which supports food and beverage workers nationwide by providing direct funding to individuals rebuilding from natural disasters, seeking emergency medical treatment, and recovering from accidents or other crises.

Whether it’s honoring where the brand got its start or investing in what comes next, Elijah Craig’s rich legacy stands strong. With every barrel, every program, and every person behind it, Elijah Craig continues to prove that the pursuit of mastery is never finished. It’s an ongoing journey we all share in when we Thrive Together.