The Business of Bourbon: IP, Innovation, and Kentucky's Finest with Dr. Greg Tucker

The bourbon industry is a major economic driver for the Kentucky region, with 95% of the world's bourbon supply made and aged in the Bluegrass State. There’s more behind those barrels than aging whisky. 

I’m joined by Dr. Greg Tucker , a licensing manager and commercialization specialist III at the University of Louisville. His extensive experience includes negotiating business terms for license agreements, managing university technologies, and establishing partnerships between innovators and companies. He holds a doctorate in chemistry from Arizona State University and has multiple U.S. patents in renewable energy.

We talk about the rich history of bourbon, exploring its origins dating back to George Washington and the evolution of its production process. We discuss how intellectual property plays a crucial role in the bourbon industry, from trademarks protecting iconic brands to patents safeguarding innovative distillation methods.

Greg also shares insights into notable IP cases, including the Jack Daniel's dog toy dispute and Maker's Mark's signature red wax seal. We also explore groundbreaking innovations emerging from the University of Louisville, with a spotlight on Bioproducts LLC. This company is revolutionizing the industry by transforming distillery waste into valuable products like animal feed, healthy sugar alternatives, and even materials for 3D printing.

Whether you're a bourbon enthusiast or just curious about how innovation impacts industry, this episode is for you. Grab your glass, sit back, and let’s toast to the history and future of bourbon.

In This Episode:

[02:17] Greg is the licensing manager at University of Louisville Research Foundation and the diversity and inclusion pillar lead for HIPAA, our Kentucky Intellectual Property Association here locally in Louisville.

[04:12] Bourbon is a 9 billion dollar industry in Kentucky.

[05:12] Greg shares the history of bourbon with us.

[07:29] What makes bourbon a bourbon is that the mash is at least 51% corn. It also has to be distilled and aged in an oak barrel.

[11:09] During prohibition people could still buy medicinal bourbon.

[11:40] September is also bourbon heritage month.

[12:13] You can still find George Washington's still at Mount Vernon.

[13:39] Tennessee whiskey is bourbon with an additional process.

[15:29] Greg talks more about what makes a bourbon a bourbon.

[16:31] The role that IP plays when it comes to bourbon. It touches every aspect from names and trademarks to copyrights and design patents.

[19:34] There are also a lot of bourbon trade secrets.

[21:13] Greg talks about Jack Daniels vs. VIP Products, where a Jack Daniels bottle replica was used as a dog toy. Maker's Mark also had a case involving the red signature wax that drips from the top of the bottle.

[25:23] Bioproducts transform organic waste from distilleries into value-added products.

[27:20] Stillage is the organic grainy waste leftover from the fermentation process. Some interesting uses have been for it from animal feed to sweeteners. 

[30:07] There is also a company working on developing Biocoal. 

[32:35] Greg talks about working with farmers and collaborations using biomass.

[34:31] The Estate Whiskey Alliance is trying to make the industry more efficient.

[36:05] Greg talks about using carbon credits and becoming more efficient.

[38:07] Challenges from scaling up with Bioproducts

[44:19] We learn about a quantitative method that can be used to identify the type of bourbon or whiskey due to its unique grain pattern.

[46:26] For Greg, bourbon tasting is not only work, it's a hobby too.

[47:46] Greg talks about his favorite bourbon and whiskey along with an IP story. 

[53:44] This episode winds down with talking about favorite bourbons and sharing a virtual drink.&nbs