Former state Senator John Schickel will be inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame as a member of the 24th class for helping reshape Kentucky’s alcohol laws during a period of unprecedented growth for the bourbon industry.
Presented by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose work has helped shape the heritage, growth and future of Kentucky bourbon.
During his 16 years in the Kentucky Senate, Schickel helped bring Kentucky’s alcohol laws into the modern era, leading reforms that better aligned state policy with a rapidly growing bourbon industry.
As longtime chair of the Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee, he was a champion for small businesses, including those within the spirits industry. He guided legislation that expanded bourbon tourism, updated antiquated regulations and gave Kentucky distilleries greater flexibility to compete while preserving the traditions that define the state’s signature spirit.
“I’m deeply honored to receive this recognition from an industry that has meant so much to Kentucky for generations,” Schickel said. “Throughout my time in the legislature, I believed our laws should preserve the heritage that makes Kentucky bourbon special while giving our distillers every chance to grow and compete. I’m grateful to everyone in the industry who shared their expertise over the years. This is an honor I’ll always cherish.”
Those efforts helped fuel the continued growth of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, encouraged the expansion of craft distilling and supported economic development in communities across the commonwealth.
Schickel’s legislative work touched nearly every corner of Kentucky’s bourbon industry. He sponsored or championed measures that expanded sampling and bottle sales at Kentucky Bourbon Trail distilleries, opened new opportunities for direct-to-consumer bourbon shipping, encouraged collaboration between distilleries and craft breweries, strengthened bourbon tourism, permanently authorized to-go alcohol sales following the COVID-19 pandemic and eliminated decades-old restrictions that no longer reflected the realities of a modern industry.
Those reforms coincided with Kentucky bourbon’s rise into a global economic and tourism powerhouse. Bourbon continues to be one of the commonwealth’s strongest tourism drivers, helping Kentucky reach record visitation in 2025. By modernizing laws that had remained largely unchanged for decades, Schickel and the General Assembly helped ensure the state’s signature industry could continue growing while preserving the authenticity and traditions that set it apart.
Schickel represented the 11th Senate District from 2009 through 2025, serving Boone County and portions of Kenton County. His multidecade career in public service also included a presidential appointment as U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Kentucky, along with leadership roles in corrections and higher education before retiring from elected office in 2025.
Gigi DaDan, Chair of the KDA Board of Directors and General Manager of Louisville Distilling Co., said Schickel and fellow inductees represent a defining contribution to the continued evolution, enduring strength and global prominence of Kentucky Bourbon.
“From legacy whiskey families and pioneering distillers to transformative policy leaders, educators, storytellers and innovators who have advanced the industry across generations, these distinguished leaders represent the passion, vision and dedication that continue to shape Kentucky Bourbon and elevate its impact around the world,” she said in a news release from the KDA.
“We look forward to celebrating this extraordinary class in September during Bourbon Heritage Month, alongside many of the industry’s most respected legends and luminaries, while continuing to showcase how Bourbon Builds Kentucky.”
The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place September 14 in Louisville.
Kentucky Distillers’ Association