Master Distillers of Stitzel-Weller
Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 12:53 pmI have been putting together an exhibit of whiskey history for our 2nd floor meeting room where the Old Forester tasting will take place on Thursday. One of the cases has photographs of four of the five master distillers at Stitzel-Weller. These photographs are from the Edwin Foote collection and were gathered by him, but I do not have a photograph of the fifth and last master distiller - Ed Foote!
For the record the master distillers were Will McGill, Andy Cochran, Roy Hawes and Woody Willson on display with the missing Ed Foote being the fifth and last master distiller at Stitzel-Weller. I am unsure of the exact dates of service but Will McGill was there from when the distillery opened in 1935 to the late 40's. Andy Cochran was there from the late 40's to the early 50's (he died young). Roy Hawes was master distiller from the early 50's to about 1970. Woody Wilson was his replacement until 1983 when Ed Foote was hired to be Wilson's replacement. Ed was master distiller when the distillery closed down.
For the record the master distillers were Will McGill, Andy Cochran, Roy Hawes and Woody Willson on display with the missing Ed Foote being the fifth and last master distiller at Stitzel-Weller. I am unsure of the exact dates of service but Will McGill was there from when the distillery opened in 1935 to the late 40's. Andy Cochran was there from the late 40's to the early 50's (he died young). Roy Hawes was master distiller from the early 50's to about 1970. Woody Wilson was his replacement until 1983 when Ed Foote was hired to be Wilson's replacement. Ed was master distiller when the distillery closed down.