Lincoln Henderson
Sketch Photo of Lincoln Henderson, provided by Brown-Forman web site
“Keeping more than the Angel’s Share”
Lincoln Henderson was born in September of 1938. Lincoln began serious study of Bourbon as an undergraduate at the University of Oklahoma. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s in Science Degree in Chemistry from the University of Louisville and then capped of his formal education by be awarded his Masters in Business Administration from Webster University in Missouri.
During his nearly 40-year tenure as Master Distiller at Brown-Forman Corporation, Lincoln was the driving force behind Jack Daniel’s releasing only its second brand in over 150 years when it shocked the world with a small batch phenomenon called Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack which is double charcoal mellowed and a huge seller around the world. Henderson was instrumental in developing brands such prolific brands as Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel. Lincoln was a perfectionist and also loved to experiment in the craft of making whiskey. He was one of the original pioneers of the premium Bourbon category in the U.S. along with such illustrious legends as Parker Beam, Booker Noe and Elmer T. Lee. He is one of inaugural member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame and spent his lifetime perfecting his profession of creating fine spirits.
After 40 year at Brown-Forman and three years retired, Henderson reemerged in 2006 to create his own brand, Angel’s Envy, a small-batch artisan Bourbon hand-selected and then finished in port casks. In 2012 he developed an Angel’s Envy Cask-Strength Bourbon that was limited in its release but had rave reviews and then a few years later released Angel’s Envy Rye which is finished in Caribbean rum casks.
During a time when most Bourbon producers focused on more traditional methods, Henderson was noted for making decisions based on the specific taste profile he wanted to achieve, often experimenting with new spirits and methods, such as finishing whiskey in barrels formerly used for Port, Sherry, Rum, Brandy and Tequila. Lincoln passed away in September 2013. Lincoln was survived by his son Wes, who is Angel’s Envy’s Chief Innovation Officer and his grandson Kyle who is serving as the company’s Production Manager.
Pictured above are some iconic Brands that were introduced by Lincoln Henderson during his 40 year career at the Brown-Forman Corporation. Those include (left to right): Woodford Reserve Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack Small Batch and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select.
Pictured above are the brands that Lincoln Henderson and his son Wes introduced after Lincoln came out of retirement to create his own brand and family business. Those include (left to right); Angel’s Envy Port Barrel Finished Bourbon, Angel’s Envy Rye (finished in Rum Casks) and Angel’s Envy Cask Strength.