On Perry Lane: Stitzel-Weller Street Now Bears Name of Long-Time Employee

A familiar face, 47-year employee Carroll Perry greets every visitor to the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience

Photos Courtesy of The Bulleit Fronteir Whiskey Experience at Stitzel-Weller.

Seasons change, but there’s been one constant at Stitzel-Weller for the past half century – Carroll Perry. Better known as Perry, he keeps watch and greets about a thousand visitors each week at Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience at Stitzel-Weller. Now those visitors will turn onto Perry Lane before arriving at the visitors’ center.

“I feel so proud and honored to have a street named after me,” Perry said. “Never did I dream something like this would happen. I enjoy waking up every day, going to work, and meeting people from all around the country. It’s the greatest job I’ve had, I am so happy to work at Stitzel-Weller, the cathedral of bourbon.”

Carroll Perry with his newly christened road sign.

Over the course of Perry’s 47 years, he has worked in shipping, receiving, bottling, plant maintenance and more. Bourbon has been Perry’s entire life; he began his tenure at Stitzel-Weller in 1970. Perry retired for a short couple of months in 1999, but couldn’t stay away from his post for long. He came out of retirement to reclaim his position as everyone’s favorite security guard in early 2000 and has no plans to retire again.

“We could not think of a better way to show our gratitude for such a passionate and caring employee,” said Kevin Didio, Stitzel-Weller brand home manager. “He is here every day with a smile on his face and we are pleased to honor him.”

In addition to the road naming, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer declared Sept. 12 Carroll Perry Day. Charles Helms, with Louisville Forward, presented the proclamation as a surprise to Perry.

The Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience at Stitzel-Weller is open Mondays and Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday hours are from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The last tour each day begins at 3 p.m. Click here for more information.

Caroline Paulus
Caroline Paulus is the Senior Editor for The Bourbon Review. She lives and writes in Lexington, Kentucky. Follow her on Instagram @misswhiskeyhistorian to keep up with her latest in bourbon news - and a few old finds, too.