Profile: Raising the Barrel

Being the first in any realm brings with it a great sense of responsibility for living up to your title. The same is true for Marianne Eaves, who became known as the first female master distiller in Kentucky since Prohibition, a remarkable feat in a male-dominated industry. As a mother of two who is balancing her family and career, Eaves serves as inspiration for women looking to set foot in the bourbon industry.

Eaves was born in Chattanooga, TN, but was raised in Louisville, KY, as her family relocated following her father’s employment opportunities. Growing up in a dry county, she was far from the bourbon-infused upbringing one might expect. “My parents didn’t drink much, at least not around the house,” Eaves says. “I wasn’t fed bourbon in my bottle, like a lot of distillers will say.” As a result, she didn’t have much exposure to the alcohol industry until much later in her life.

Growing up, Eaves always found herself in male-dominated rooms. She went through auto shop in high school and also practiced mixed martial arts. However, when it came time to pick what she wanted to pursue, she didn’t know what to do. Eaves took a year and a half off after high school and helped her mom open an arts and crafts business, but the business didn’t last long. As she was figuring out next steps, her father helped her by sending lists of careers with top wages after graduation. This is when Eaves found herself interested in chemical engineering, fascinated by the flexibility of the discipline and its presence in a variety of industries. With her calling to the STEM field, she attended the Univ. of Louisville to pursue chemical engineering.

During her time at the Univ. of Louisville, she...