ICT Talk: Tech and Bourbon Strategies in the Bourbon Industry
LEXINGTON, Ky, (Oct. 27, 2020) — At 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, the University of Kentucky School of Information Science in the College of Communication and Information will host John Hargrove and Roger Henley from the Bardstown Bourbon Company through Zoom to discuss how technology is being utilized in the bourbon industry. Both Hargrove and Henley come with high levels of expertise and experience, with Hargrove being the chief operating officer of the company and Henley serving as a plant engineer.
The Bardstown Bourbon Company is one of the most technologically advanced distilleries in the world, using a highly automated, state-of-the-art system that allows for data tracking and efficient process control. Their unique Ignition software system, which they call the neural center of their distilling, is the first to be implemented in this industry and the reason for their technological success. Whether your interests fall into technology, bourbon or both, this promises to be an interesting event.
“Historically, the bourbon industry is not known for pushing technological boundaries. If you look at the food manufacturing industry, it is light years ahead of the bourbon industry,” Hargrove said. “The good news is that the industry is in the middle of closing that gap.”
Hargrove intends for students to gain insight on opportunities in the bourbon industry and discover how fun bourbon can be. All students with a passion for either industry, or who just want to learn more about bourbon, are encouraged to join in what is sure to be a fun-filled and informative event.
If you are interested you can sign up here (https://forms.gle/tDyjBz8ydhNcgWTR6) and you will be sent the Zoom link information after registration.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.