Jack Daniel’s Distillery Founders
(NOTE: FOUNDERS ARE LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
1
Jeff Arnett
Arnett, who was already a Tennessee Squire at the time, went to work as a quality control engineer at the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, TN. He began that position, which very importantly took him all throughout the distillery grounds. He met the challenge of being a part of each aspect of the distillery. So, when Jimmy Bedford stepped down as Master Distiller in 2008, Arnett became the 7th.
2
Jimmy Bedford
One of Jimmy’s gifts of talent was his sense of taste and smell; an ability that is very critical to excel in the whiskey industry. Whiskey must be consistent; the consumer must have the implicit trust that when they purchase a bottle of Jack Daniel whiskey it will taste like the previous bottle that they have grown to enjoy over time. Jimmy would “inspect” new batches of whiskey and compare with the older batches by sipping.
3
Frank Bobo
To locals Frank was not only known as “Frog”. He was also known as a US Army Korean War veteran, a true southern gentle, a Raider fan, and a man with a deep, abiding love for his beloved wife, Avalee. According to his grandson he was also known as “the guy who got the calls to go fix something at the distillery in the middle of the night.” In 1966 he was quickly led to the role as Master Distiller.
4
Jack Daniel
Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel was born in Tennessee in 1849, and opened a distillery in Lynchburg. Because of the confusion and disarray after the Civil War, most distilleries in the South didn’t register their stills with the government, but young Jack did and became the country's Number 1 distillery. In 1884, Jack purchased the hollow and land where the distillery is now located about five miles from where Jack was born. There is an underwater spring runs throughout the property and even under the distillery.
5
Chris Fletcher
After graduating, he worked as a laboratory technician at Brown-Forman from 2003-2008 and a production support group leader from 2008-2011. In April of 2011, Chris left Brown-Forman to become the lead chemist at Buffalo Trace. Just over 2 1/2 years later, though, he would not only return to Brown-Forman, he would return to Lynchburg. This time as assistant Master Distiller under Jeff Arnett. When Arnett stepped down, Chris Fletcher became the 8th master at Jack Daniels in November 2020.
6
Jess Gamble
Although Jess Gamble’s time as Master Distiller was relatively brief, his contributions left a lasting impression on the brand. His ability to balance innovation with tradition helped set a precedent for future Master Distillers, ensuring that Jack Daniel’s remained true to its heritage while evolving to meet modern demands. Gamble’s leadership exemplified the values of quality, consistency, and a deep respect for the craft. Unlike his predecessors, Gamble was not a member of the Daniel family
7
“Nearest” Green
Uncle Nearest, as his family and friends in his hometown of Lynchburg, Tennessee called him, was the first known African-American master distiller. Born in Maryland around 1820, around the mid-1800s, Green’s enslavers were a firm known as Landis & Green, who “leased” Nearest Green for a fee to local preacher, the Rev. Dan Call. He began working on the farm of the country preacher and distiller in Lincoln County.
8
J. Reagor Motlow
John Reagor Motlow was a key figure in the whiskey industry and in Tennessee's local politics. He is widely remembered for his dedication to both Jack Daniel’s whiskey and the Tennessee communities he served. As a businessman and state senator, his life’s work centered around strengthening the legacy of Jack Daniel’s and supporting regional business interests, securing a lasting impact on American whiskey culture.
9
Jess Motlow
In Jack Daniel’s 150-plus year history, only eight men have served as master distiller of the Jack Daniel’s distillery: first, of course, was Jasper “Jack” Daniel’s. Number two on the list, inheriting this responsibility from Jack, was Jess Butler Motlow, Jack’s nephew, and the younger brother of Lem Motlow. Lem had the business know-how, and Jess had the whiskey know-how.
10
Lem Motlow
Lem had a close relationship with his Uncle Jack, who took Lem under his wing into the whiskey business. Lem had a head for numbers, and In 1883, just 14, he started working in the distillery, handling the distillery's bookkeeping. In 1907 due to failing health, Jack gave the distillery to his nephew, Lem. Lem ran for state-wide elections in 1908, with a sole interest in trying to influence the temperance movement laws being passed. Lem was elected a State Senator, and in the years to come would win several elections
11
Lexie Phillips
Just as she has done for the past ten years, Lexie Phillips makes her short daily drive from where she was raised in Estill Springs to the Jack Daniel’s distillery. It is down the quiet, two-lane stretch of smooth country blacktop, past the polite, white-frame houses of small-town Tennessee. Except these days, Lexie has been named the first female Assistant Master Distiller at the renowned whiskey works, operating side-by-side with Master Distiller Chris Fletcher.
12
Lem Big Hide Tolley
On July, 26 1898, Lillian gave birth to Lemuel Lee Tolley in Moore Tennessee, making Lem Jack Daniels grandnephew. Lem was a tall, rugged man with a thick skin and stern demeanor earning him the nickname ‘Big Hyde’. Lem ‘Big Hyde’ Tolley was a second generation distiller (his father also work at the Jack Daniels distillery) and in 1941 he would become only the third master distiller at Jack Daniels.