Owensboro native Brent Elliott didn’t realize where his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Kentucky might take him.
For a while, it led him to laboratories, analyzing soil and water samples for agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Ten years ago that chemistry degree led him to Four Roses Distillery, where he’s most recently held the position of director of quality.
Elliott has just been named master distiller at Four Roses. He said it’s his dream job.
“Being from Kentucky and always having bourbon in the background, as such a part of the heritage of Kentucky and the history and the ambiance of Kentucky, it’s always held some mystique," said Elliott. "And combine that with my love of chemistry and my appreciation of anything hand-crafted, it’s just like the stars aligned for me.”
He said his new job will take him on the road a lot, meeting with bourbon connoisseurs and mixologists, like the ones he recently met at a cocktail festival in New Orleans.
Elliott is already familiar with the wide range of responsibilities he’ll have when he moves into the position of master distiller.
He said he can find out about 90 percent of what he needs to know about bourbons from the aroma, but then there’s that other 10 percent.
“There’s a tasting panel at Four Roses, so everyone shares in the load, but there are times when it’s necessary to taste bourbon," said Elliott. "That can be a challenge, especially if you’re sampling something that just came out of the barrel at about 120 proof. After tasting one or two samples, your tongue tends to go numb.”
Elliott currently lives in Frankfort. He starts his new job as master distiller Sept. 1.