Before the brand purchase, it was distilled in Shively, Kentucky, by the Brown-Forman Corporation, another of the largest North American-owned companies in the spirits and wine business.

The brand prospered due to its maker having a license to continue production for medicinal purposes.

In 2010, Brown-Forman introduced Early Times 354 in the U.S., which meets the regulated criteria for straight whiskey.

[citation needed] In 1987, Brown–Forman contracted with Churchill Downs to market Early Times mint juleps as the "official drink" of the Kentucky Derby.

Old Forester, a bourbon also made by Brown-Forman, replaced Early Times starting May 2, 2015 [9] as the standard Kentucky Derby whisky for the lower-priced mint juleps.