Brown-Forman (NYSE:BF.B) (NYSE:BF.B) is a leading producer and marketer of premium spirits and wines. Established in 1870 and headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, the company’s portfolio includes globally recognized brands such as Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Finlandia Vodka, and Herradura Tequila. Over its more than 150-year history, Brown-Forman has built a reputation for craftsmanship, quality and innovation in beverage alcohol, maintaining a commitment to time-honored production techniques alongside modern process improvements.
The company’s core business activities encompass the production, maturation, packaging and distribution of a diverse range of distilled spirits and wines. Brown-Forman operates a network of distilleries, wineries and bottling facilities, where each product undergoes rigorous quality control. The firm’s brand management teams focus on marketing strategies that target premium, super-premium and ultra-premium market segments, positioning their offerings through both on- and off-premise channels. In recent years, Brown-Forman has expanded its product portfolio through selective acquisitions and brand partnerships, extending its presence in the fast-growing tequila, ready-to-drink cocktail and craft spirit categories.
Brown-Forman maintains a strong global footprint, serving more than 160 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Key markets include the United States, Western Europe and emerging regions such as Latin America and parts of Asia, where rising disposable incomes and evolving consumer tastes are driving demand for premium spirits. The company relies on a combination of wholly owned subsidiaries, joint ventures and distribution agreements to adapt to diverse regulatory environments and consumer preferences, while continuously investing in supply-chain resilience and sustainable sourcing practices.
Still largely family-controlled and publicly traded, Brown-Forman is led by President and Chief Executive Officer Lawson Whiting, who oversees a global executive leadership team responsible for strategy, operations and brand development. The board of directors includes multi-generational members of the founding Brown and Forman families, alongside independent directors with expertise in finance, marketing, international business and corporate governance. Under this leadership structure, the company emphasizes long-term value creation, responsible stewardship and community engagement in its home state of Kentucky and around the world.
