MARIANNE EAVES, Founder & Master Distiller

Born in Tennessee and raised in Kentucky, geography alone may have been telling Marianne Eaves that her destiny was to be a whiskey maker. However, it was courage to buck tradition, her creative engineering mind and a voracious appetite for learning that actualized her place in history as Kentucky’s First Female Bourbon Master Distiller since Prohibition. 

After a fast and early failure in art consignment, Eaves decided to follow her long love of math and science and pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Louisville. Little did she realize that she would find herself in a history-making position in which the creative and the scientific would come together.  A fortuitous confluence of circumstances – her love of science, analytic mind, exceptional sensory skills, creativity, and a fateful internship choice with Brown-Forman – led to her being the first woman to earn the title of Master Distiller with Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort.

Eaves has been recognized in Whiskey Advocate Magazine as “the Next Generation” for the bourbon industry, and has been honored by Forbes and included in the 2015 Food & Drink 30 under 30 list. As she stepped into the role of Master Distiller herself, taking on the herculean restoration project of The Historic Old Taylor Distillery, she was recognized by Wine Enthusiast Magazine as one of America’s Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers.

Her combination of technical knowledge, hands-on experience, specialized palate and focus on thoughtful innovation are a unique formula for her role as Master Distiller. Praise for her recipes come from hobbyist consumers and spirits aficionados alike. Sweetens Cove, a blend of bourbons made for celebrity clients Peyton Manning and Andy Roddick, earned a double gold at the New York Spirits Competition. Those who have tasted the product she designed and distilled at Castle & Key Distillery agree that the future is bright for Eaves and her creations. Most recently Eaves is proud to announce Forbidden Bourbon, a new approach to America’s Spirit that celebrates the Forbidden strides Eaves has made for women in Bourbon.

Eaves is well poised as a leader of the new generation of spirits professionals that will shape the industry. She hopes to use her expertise in process and product development to raise the bar for craft producers and help other passionate makers turn dreams into a reality. She is excited to teach the ways of authentic Kentucky made Bourbon to producers across the US.

Eaves role in changing the dynamic in this predominantly male industry is clear. She is proud to be a leader and a face for the movement and rise of women in spirits.  

Introducing Forbidden

SMALL BATCH WHEATED BOURBON WHISKEY

Forbidden Bourbon launched in 2023 and has been referred to as intriguing and a refreshing break out of the box of tradition.

EAVES Foundation

B U C K T R A D I T I O N

Mission 

The Eaves Foundation supports and celebrates innovation, education and development of underrepresented communities in the spirits industry through opportunity, mentorship, educational support and leadership.

Vision

We are the leaders and supporters of the new generation of spirits professionals that will shape the industry.

Purpose

We support, promote and celebrate the inclusion of diverse and underrepresented communities to represent the future of the spirits industry.

PUBLIC SPEAKING

BOOZE & INSPIRATION

Making the impossible, doing the unthinkable - Marianne Eaves - TEDX BROADWAY

What do Bourbon and Broadway have in common? More than you might think. Marianne Eaves, who became Kentucky’s first female master distiller at age 28, shares how through her career and personal journey she’s discovered that both take passion and vision, and patience to see that vision come to life. Both also involve science and art, along with a fair amount of risk. Eaves also explains how risk taking has shaped her life, and why you shouldn’t worry if everyone thinks what you’re doing is crazy. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

STORYTELLING

STEVE HARVEY - FEMALE GROUNDBREAKER

Steve honors MARIANNE BARNES, the first female Master Distiller in Kentucky since Prohibition, as a “Female Groundbreaker.” When you think of bourbon, you may picture men kicking back and smoking cigars, but Marianne is changing all of that, with her role as a Master Distiller at Castle & Key Distillery. Marianne will give Steve a taste test of different varieties of bourbon, demonstrating her ability to distinguish over 200 flavors when she tastes a bourbon or a whiskey!

TRAVEL CHANNEL - PAID TO PLAY

Marianne Eaves, the first female master distiller since Prohibition, talks about how she blends science and art to create vodka, gin and bourbon recipes for Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.

THE BOURBON FILM - Neat: The story of bourbon

Neat: The Story of Bourbon - NEAT is a documentary that dives into the rich and storied world of bourbon. Exploring its colorful history, charismatic characters, and uniquely American process, the film is a celebration of the time, artistry, and relationships that make America's only native spirit. The Importance Of Corn: Castle & Key Master Distiller Marianne Barnes, and other distillers talk about what the corn means for bourbon.