BORN TO BE WILD

18 Jul 2014 By David Fuhrmann-Lim

Master distillers at Wild Turkey on the recipe for mixing business with family… (it involves one part patience, two parts hard work, and a dash of love).

By Matt Mccue

Jimmy Russell grew up along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, so it was a foregone conclusion that he would one day go to work for a distillery, just like his father had. This September, he’ll celebrate his 60th year of service at Wild Turkey, making him the longest-tenured distiller anywhere in North America. His son, Eddie, is also a distiller, a member of the Bourbon Hall of Fame going on 33 years with Wild Turkey. Together, the two have created a namesake blend, Russell’s Reserve. Equally important, they’ve learned how to blend business with family.

Family Comes First

“It’s never easy to work for your family,” says Eddie, who saw a new side of his dad on the job. “That doesn’t mean they’re bad; they’re just different out in public.” The first major adjustment for Eddie was to address Jimmy by his first name. “It’s hard to call him dad at the office,” he says. When they leave the factory, “the work is done,” says Jimmy. “At home, it’s all about the family.” If they ever have a heated argument that threatens their relationship, “I would leave the business,” says Eddie. “You’ve got to put family first.”

Read the rest at Fast Company