• by Teresa Buyikian , March 28, 2025

Louisville, Kentucky-based distillery Mary Dowling Whiskey Company is intent on keeping the memory of its pioneering female namesake alive with a new book and accompanying book tour.

This week the brand released “Mother of Bourbon: The Greatest Whiskey Story Never Told,” a historical fiction novel based on the life of Mary Dowling.

In the early 1900s, Dowling became the first woman to run a major distillery in Kentucky, weathered a major distillery fire, founded a bank, and later battled law enforcement during prohibition. She ultimately relocated her distillery to Juárez, Mexico to escape government oversight, per a recent Forbes article on the early entrepreneur.

The bourbon brand is “on a mission to restore the lost legacy of Mary Dowling,” through the novel, which was a “collaborative project” between co-authors Eric Goodman and Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame whiskey maker (and founder of Mary Dowling Whiskey) Kaveh Zamanian. The book “takes readers through the outrageously inspiring life of bourbon's most successful and influential woman distiller,” per the release.

"Mary Dowling was a pioneer who refused to let anything—prohibition, expectations or the times she lived in—define her," said Zamanian in the release. "With 'Mother of Bourbon,' we finally get to share her remarkable life with the world. This is, without a doubt, the greatest whiskey story never told."

The brand is launching a "Mother of Bourbon" book tour, which kicks off in Louisville, Kentucky on April 9 and continues with six events across U.S. cities including Chicago and Detroit. Attendees of the tour will be able to participate in guided tastings of Mary Dowling Whiskey Company's three offerings -- Winter Wheat, Tequila Barrel and Double Oak --  paired with excerpts from the book. The immersive experience is hosted by Zamanian, and attendees will receive a “gift package” that includes a signed copy of the book.

Tickets and more information on the book tour are available at www.marydowling.com/booktour. "Mother of Bourbon" is available for preorder now at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The distillery is promoting the experience on Instagram and other social media platforms.