Jimmy Bedford

James Howard Bedford (January 30, 1940 – August 7, 2009) was responsible for overseeing the production of Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey and ensuring the consistent flavor of the product in his 20 years serving as the distillery's sixth master distiller.

Early life Bedford was born on January 30, 1940, in Franklin County, Tennessee, and grew up on a farm in Lynchburg, Tennessee. There he attended Moore County High School. He attended Tennessee Polytechnic Institute, where he met his future wife, graduating from the school in 1962.

Career He and his wife moved back to the Lynchburg area following graduation from college and took a job in 1968 at the Jack Daniel's Distillery there.

Bedford was recognized with the Icons of Whisky Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 by Whisky magazine.