Early Times
Encyclopedia
Early Times is a brand of Kentucky whisky
produced by the Brown-Forman Corporation
. The whisky sold under this brand name outside the United States
is labelled as bourbon
, while most of the brand bottlings sold within the U.S. do not meet the qualifications for marketing as a bourbon and are just labeled as Kentucky whisky. Whisky sold under this brand name was first distilled in 1860. During the prohibition of alcohol in the U.S.
, its manufacturer was one of only five whisky producers that were exempt from the law, having been designated as producers of "medicinal whisky".
The Early Times Whisky brand production started at a place called Early Times Station, Kentucky
. The Kentucky water surrounding the "Station" was used for making the whisky. The water naturally filtered through limestone springs which the company says makes it rich in minerals that add flavor and help with fermentation. Early Times was not very popular until 1920 when Congress passed the Volstead Act
and Prohibition
began. The brand prospered due to its maker having a license to continue its production.
The Brown-Forman Company acquired the Early Times brand in 1923, and over the next 30 years made Early Times the best-selling whisky in the country. Today it is sold in over 40 countries. It ranks as one of the top four selling bourbons in the world and in 2005 it became the top selling Kentucky whisky in Japan.
and is produced at the Brown-Forman Distillery in Shively, Kentucky
. Most of the Early Times which is now sold in the U.S. is not a bourbon whisky
, and labeled as "Kentucky Whisky", because 20% of the Early Times whisky is aged in used barrel
s. However, Early Times which is sold at the export markets is aged in new barrels and meets the legal requirements to be called a bourbon. Both products are bottled at 40% alcohol by volume
.
In December 2010, Brown-Forman introduced a new variation of the brand called Early Times 354 in the United States, which is a bourbon
.
to market Early Times Mint Julep
as the "official drink" of the Kentucky Derby
. Over 100,000 Early Times Mint Juleps are purchased at the race track in Louisville, Kentucky during Derby Week each year. However, the highest-priced Mint Juleps at the event use bourbon from the Brown-Forman sister brand Woodford Reserve
, which is marketed as the "official bourbon" of the Kentucky Derby.
's novel A Confederacy of Dunces
.
Early Times is also used to spike the punch bowl during the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance in Back to the Future Part II
.
Whisky
Whisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Different grains are used for different varieties, including barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn...
produced by the Brown-Forman Corporation
Brown-Forman Corporation
The Brown-Forman Corporation is one of the largest American-owned companies in the spirits and wine business.Some well-known brands of the corporation include Jack Daniel's, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka, Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Canadian Mist, Early Times, Old Forester, and Korbel champagne.-...
. The whisky sold under this brand name outside the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
is labelled as bourbon
Bourbon whiskey
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey – a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky . It has been produced since the 18th century...
, while most of the brand bottlings sold within the U.S. do not meet the qualifications for marketing as a bourbon and are just labeled as Kentucky whisky. Whisky sold under this brand name was first distilled in 1860. During the prohibition of alcohol in the U.S.
Prohibition in the United States
Prohibition in the United States was a national ban on the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol, in place from 1920 to 1933. The ban was mandated by the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, and the Volstead Act set down the rules for enforcing the ban, as well as defining which...
, its manufacturer was one of only five whisky producers that were exempt from the law, having been designated as producers of "medicinal whisky".
The Early Times Whisky brand production started at a place called Early Times Station, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. The Kentucky water surrounding the "Station" was used for making the whisky. The water naturally filtered through limestone springs which the company says makes it rich in minerals that add flavor and help with fermentation. Early Times was not very popular until 1920 when Congress passed the Volstead Act
Volstead Act
The National Prohibition Act, known informally as the Volstead Act, was the enabling legislation for the Eighteenth Amendment which established prohibition in the United States...
and Prohibition
Prohibition in the United States
Prohibition in the United States was a national ban on the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol, in place from 1920 to 1933. The ban was mandated by the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, and the Volstead Act set down the rules for enforcing the ban, as well as defining which...
began. The brand prospered due to its maker having a license to continue its production.
The Brown-Forman Company acquired the Early Times brand in 1923, and over the next 30 years made Early Times the best-selling whisky in the country. Today it is sold in over 40 countries. It ranks as one of the top four selling bourbons in the world and in 2005 it became the top selling Kentucky whisky in Japan.
Production and products
The brand is currently owned by Brown-Forman CorporationBrown-Forman Corporation
The Brown-Forman Corporation is one of the largest American-owned companies in the spirits and wine business.Some well-known brands of the corporation include Jack Daniel's, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka, Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Canadian Mist, Early Times, Old Forester, and Korbel champagne.-...
and is produced at the Brown-Forman Distillery in Shively, Kentucky
Shively, Kentucky
Shively is a city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 15,157 at the 2000 census. It is located southwest of Louisville, Kentucky and directly adjoins the larger city. Shively is centered around the junction of US 60 and the Dixie Highway.-History:Shively was first...
. Most of the Early Times which is now sold in the U.S. is not a bourbon whisky
Bourbon whiskey
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey – a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky . It has been produced since the 18th century...
, and labeled as "Kentucky Whisky", because 20% of the Early Times whisky is aged in used barrel
Barrel
A barrel or cask is a hollow cylindrical container, traditionally made of vertical wooden staves and bound by wooden or metal hoops. Traditionally, the barrel was a standard size of measure referring to a set capacity or weight of a given commodity. A small barrel is called a keg.For example, a...
s. However, Early Times which is sold at the export markets is aged in new barrels and meets the legal requirements to be called a bourbon. Both products are bottled at 40% alcohol by volume
Alcohol by volume
Alcohol by volume is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage .The ABV standard is used worldwide....
.
In December 2010, Brown-Forman introduced a new variation of the brand called Early Times 354 in the United States, which is a bourbon
Bourbon whiskey
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey – a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky . It has been produced since the 18th century...
.
Marketing activity
Starting in 1987, Brown-Forman established a contract agreement with the Churchill Downs CorporationChurchill Downs
Churchill Downs, located in Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, is a Thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby annually. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and the first Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs...
to market Early Times Mint Julep
Mint Julep
The mint julep is a mixed alcoholic drink, or cocktail, associated with the cuisine of the Southern United States.- Preparation :A mint julep is traditionally made with four ingredients: mint leaf, bourbon, sugar, and water. Traditionally, spearmint is the mint of choiceused in Southern states, and...
as the "official drink" of the Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
. Over 100,000 Early Times Mint Juleps are purchased at the race track in Louisville, Kentucky during Derby Week each year. However, the highest-priced Mint Juleps at the event use bourbon from the Brown-Forman sister brand Woodford Reserve
Woodford Reserve
Woodford Reserve is a brand of premium small batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey produced by the Brown-Forman Corporation. It is distilled at the company's Woodford Reserve Distillery, and marketed under the former company name for the distillery, Labrot & Graham. The distillery is located in...
, which is marketed as the "official bourbon" of the Kentucky Derby.
Popular Culture References
Early Times is drunk by the Mrs Reilly character in John Kennedy TooleJohn Kennedy Toole
John Kennedy Toole was an American novelist from New Orleans, Louisiana, best-known for his posthumously published novel A Confederacy of Dunces. He also wrote The Neon Bible. Although several people in the literary world felt his writing skills were praiseworthy, Toole's novels were rejected...
's novel A Confederacy of Dunces
A Confederacy of Dunces
A Confederacy of Dunces is a picaresque novel written by John Kennedy Toole, published by LSU Press in 1980, 11 years after the author's suicide. The book was published through the efforts of writer Walker Percy and Toole's mother Thelma Toole, quickly becoming a cult classic, and later a...
.
Early Times is also used to spike the punch bowl during the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance in Back to the Future Part II
Back to the Future Part II
Back to the Future Part II is a 1989 American science fiction comedy film and the second installment of the Back to the Future trilogy. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, and starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Thomas F. Wilson and Lea Thompson...
.