# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000014693
**File Stem:** 0000014693-25-000069
**Filing Date:** 2025-6
**Character Count:** 40826
**Document Hash:** 7857972f292878f6cd337cc7e8c07b4f
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0000014693-25-000069.hdr.sgml**: 20250625

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0000014693-25-000069

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 11-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 2

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20250625

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20250625

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20250625

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** BROWN FORMAN CORP
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000014693
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** BEVERAGES [2080]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 04 Manufacturing
- **EIN:** 610143150
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 0430

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 11-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-00123
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251073680

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 850 DIXIE HWY
- **CITY:** LOUISVILLE
- **STATE:** KY
- **ZIP:** 40210
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 5025851100

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 850 DIXIE HIGHWAY
- **CITY:** LOUISVILLE
- **STATE:** KY
- **ZIP:** 40210

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** BROWN FORMAN INC
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19870816

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** BROWN FORMAN DISTILLERS CORP
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19840807

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** BROWN FORMAN DISTILLERY CO
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19670730

    

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**Washington, DC 20549**

**FORM 11-K**

**FOR ANNUAL REPORTS OF EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE, SAVINGS**

**AND SIMILAR PLANS PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE**

**SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934**

**(Mark One):**

☒ **Annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934**

**For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024**

**OR**

☐ **Transition report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934**

**Commission File Number: 001-00123**

A. Full Title of Plan: **Brown-Forman Corporation Savings Plan**

B. Name of Issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

**Brown-Forman Corporation**

**850 Dixie Highway**

**Louisville, Kentucky 40210**

    

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**Brown-Forman Corporation**

**Savings Plan**

**Plan #006 EIN #61-0143150**

**Financial Statements**

**December 31, 2024 and 2023**

**Supplemental Schedule**

**December 31, 2024**

------

**Brown-Forman Corporation Savings Plan**

**Index**

**December 31, 2024 and 2023**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| | **Page(s)** |
| **<u>[Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm](#i6a8324d0e60848c1a8993359a71d6b70_7)</u>** | 2 - 3 |
| **Financial Statements** |  |
| <u>[Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits December 31, 2024 and 2023](#i6a8324d0e60848c1a8993359a71d6b70_10)</u> | 4 |
| <u>[Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits Year Ended December 31, 2024](#i6a8324d0e60848c1a8993359a71d6b70_13)</u> | 5 |
| <u>[Notes to Financial Statements](#i6a8324d0e60848c1a8993359a71d6b70_16)</u> | 6 - 13 |
| **Supplemental Schedule** |  |
| <u>[Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) December 31, 2024](#i6a8324d0e60848c1a8993359a71d6b70_43)</u> | 14 |

---

Note: Other schedules required by Section 2520.103-10 of the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under ERISA have been omitted because they are not applicable.

------

**REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM**

Plan Participants of the Brown-Forman Corporation

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Savings Plan and the Brown-Forman Corporation

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Employee Benefits Committee

Louisville, Kentucky 40210-1080

**Opinion on the Financial Statements**

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the Brown-Forman Corporation Savings Plan (the "Plan") as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2024, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

**Basis for Opinion**

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Plan's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Plan in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Plan is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

------

**Supplemental Information** 

The supplemental Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) as of December 31, 2024 has been subjected to audit procedures performed in conjunction with the audit of the Plan's financial statements. The supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our audit procedures included determining whether the information presented in the supplemental schedule reconciles to the financial statements or the underlying accounting and other records, as applicable, and performing procedures to test the completeness and accuracy of the information presented in the supplemental schedule. In forming our opinion on the supplemental schedule, we evaluated whether the supplemental schedule, including its form and content, is presented in conformity with the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. In our opinion, the supplemental schedule is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements as a whole.

/s/ Crowe LLP

We have served as the Plan's auditor since 2019.

South Bend, Indiana

June 25, 2025

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**Brown-Forman Corporation Savings Plan**

**Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits**

**December 31, 2024 and 2023**

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **ASSETS** | **2024** | **2023** |
| Investments, at fair value | $643733210 | $624846359 |
| Employer contributions receivable | 578986 | 844324 |
| Participant contributions receivable | 518967 | 539714 |
| Receivable from the sale of investments |  | 421167 |
| Notes receivable from participants | 3910109 | 4354487 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Net assets available for benefits | $648741272 | $631006051 |

---

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

------

**Brown-Forman Corporation Savings Plan**

**Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits**

**Year Ended December 31, 2024&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Additions** | |
| Contributions |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Employer | $12121788 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Participants | 23525521 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rollovers | 2522449 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Total contributions | 38169758 |
| Interest and dividend income on investments | 18514188 |
| Interest income on notes receivable from participants | 301730 |
| Net appreciation in fair value of investments | 42456105 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Total additions | 99441781 |
| **Deductions** |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Benefits payments | 81515715 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Participant elected fees | 190845 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Total deductions | 81706560 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Net increase | 17735221 |
| **Net assets available for benefits** |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Beginning of year | 631006051 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;End of year | $648741272 |

---

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

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**Brown-Forman Corporation Savings Plan**

**Notes to Financial Statements**

**December 31, 2024 and 2023**

**1.** **Description of Plan**

The sponsor of the Brown-Forman Corporation Savings Plan (the Plan), Brown-Forman Corporation (the Company or the Sponsor), is a leading producer and marketer of fine quality consumer products in domestic and international markets. The Company's operations include the production, distribution, and marketing of distilled spirits.

The following brief description of the Plan is provided for general information purposes only. Participants should refer to the plan document or summary plan description for more complete information.

**General**

The Plan is a defined contribution plan covering substantially all salaried and non-union hourly employees of the Company as well as salaried and non-union hourly employees of the Company's subsidiaries. An employee becomes eligible to participate in the Plan on their employment commencement date. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).

The Plan was restated in its entirety effective January 1, 2016 and last amended August 1, 2024.

Empower Retirement, LLC (Empower) serves as Recordkeeper and Empower Trust Company, LLC serves as Directed Trustee for the Plan.

**Contributions**

Employees may contribute to the Plan between 1% and 100% of their compensation. Contributions may be made in pre-tax and/or in Roth (after-tax) dollars. Employee contributions are not to exceed the Section 402(g) Internal Revenue Code (the IRC) limitation for the calendar year of $23,000 and $22,500 for 2024 and 2023, respectively, plus "catch-up" contribution amounts provided for in the IRC. Newly eligible employees and employees who have not completed a salary reduction form are automatically enrolled in the Plan at a 5% of compensation deferral rate unless they indicate a desire not to make contributions or elect to enroll at a different percentage. Rehired employees are also automatically enrolled in the Plan at a 5% deferral rate unless they elect differently. Participants may rollover assets from their former employers' qualified plans to the Plan provided that the rollover will not jeopardize the tax-exempt status of the Plan or create an adverse tax consequence for the Company.

The Plan allows for Automatic Escalation of participant contributions, which automatically increases participant contributions by 1% of compensation annually up to a maximum of 15% (10% maximum until August 1, 2024). However, participants can opt out of this feature or set their automatic escalation percentage.

Eligible participants who have attained age 50 before the close of the plan year may make catch-up contributions in an amount of 1% to 100% of the employee's compensation, subject to the limitations of the IRC. Catch-up contributions are not matched by the Company.

The Company contributes matching contributions in an amount equal to 100% of the participant's elective deferral for up to 5% of compensation that is deferred. Company matching contributions are made with each payroll period in which there are deferrals by the participant. At the end of the year, the Company may make a true-up match contribution for those participants still employed on December 31.

Participant accounts are credited with the participant contributions and an allocation of (i) the Company's contribution on a per-payroll basis, and (ii) plan earnings daily. Credits for employer contributions are made on a per-payroll basis. Allocations are based on the participants' contributions, earnings, account balances, or specific participant transactions, as defined in the Plan. The total annual contributions, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Plan, credited to a participant's account in a plan year may not exceed the lesser of (i) $69,000, or (ii) 100% of the participant's compensation in the plan year.

------

**Brown-Forman Corporation Savings Plan**

**Notes to Financial Statements**

**December 31, 2024 and 2023**

Participants can allocate contributions among various investment options in 1% increments. The Plan currently offers participants several different investment choices, including mutual funds, common collective trust funds, pooled separate accounts, and Brown-Forman Corporation Class B common stock in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) component of the Plan. Effective July 13, 2023, new investments in Brown-Forman Corporation Class B common stock under the ESOP component of the Plan are no longer permitted; dividend reinvestments continue to be allowed. Investment elections allocated to Brown-Forman Corporation Class B common stock as of the freeze effective date were redirected to the Plan's qualified default investment alternative (QDIA), based on participants' age.

**Vesting**

Participants are immediately vested in their employee contributions plus actual earnings thereon. Vesting in the Company's contributions and earnings thereon is 25% per year of service with the Company. After four years of service, participants will become 100% vested in the company contributions account. Participants will become 100% vested in their Company contributions account in case of death, normal retirement, or total and permanent disability while employed.

**Withdrawals**

Upon termination of service, participants can elect to transfer their vested interest in the Plan to a qualified plan of their new employer, roll over their funds into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), or receive their vested interest in the Plan. Payments to participants can be made via partial withdrawals, in a lump-sum amount or in the form of installment payments over a period of time not to exceed life expectancy. Withdrawals of investments in Brown-Forman Class B common stock may be taken in the form of Brown-Forman Class B common stock (in kind) or cash. Upon termination of employment, if the total vested account balance is $7,000 ($5,000 until April 1, 2024) or less, and the participant does not direct otherwise, it will be automatically rolled over into an IRA with Inspira Financial (formerly Millennium Trust); or, distributed in cash in the case of a participant who has attained normal retirement age (65). In the event of death, participant beneficiaries will receive the vested interest, in a permitted payment form that they elect. Participants may also withdraw their vested interest in the case of financial hardship under guidelines promulgated by the IRS.

Any fully vested participant age 59 1/2 or older, may request an in-service withdrawal.

**Notes Receivable from Participants**

A participant may borrow a portion of their vested benefit under the Plan. Loans are limited to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of the vested account balance. Loans must bear a reasonable rate of interest, be secured by the balance in the participant's account, and be repaid within five years. Interest rates are fixed based on prevailing rates charged by lending institutions. The interest rate for outstanding loans at December 31, 2024 and 2023, ranged from 3.25% to 9.50%. For actively working participants, principal and interest are paid ratably through payroll deductions. In the event of layoff, leave of absence, termination or retirement, loan payments may continue to be made directly to the Trustee/Recordkeeper. Principal and interest paid on participant loans is allocated directly to the applicable participant's account.

**Forfeited Accounts**

Forfeited balances of terminated participants' non-vested accounts are used first to reinstate previously forfeited account balances of re-employed participants, if any, and the remaining amounts are used to reduce Company contributions, as defined in the plan document, or may be used to pay administrative expenses of the Plan. The unused remaining balance of forfeitures available to offset future employer contributions and administrative expenses was $690,652 and $433,789 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. During 2025, forfeitures totaling $698,335 were used to reduce the amount of Employer matching contributions receivable reflected in the financial statements as of December 31, 2024. During 2024, forfeitures totaling $425,071 were used to reduce the amount of Employer matching contributions receivable reflected in the financial statements as of December 31, 2023. The forfeitures used to reduce employer contributions include balances that were forfeited subsequent to year-end but prior to the date the employer contributions were remitted.

------

**Brown-Forman Corporation Savings Plan**

**Notes to Financial Statements**

**December 31, 2024 and 2023**

**Employee Stock Ownership Plan**

The Plan includes a participant directed ESOP which includes Company Class B common stock in the participant's account and provides participants the option of having cash dividends payable on shares of Company Class B common stock held in the ESOP either paid directly to the participant in cash or reinvested in the ESOP. Effective July 13, 2023, this investment option was frozen to transfers and new contributions. Dividend reinvestment is still permitted.

**Transfers to/from Company Sponsored Plan**

The Plan permits the transfer of participant account balances to or from another Company sponsored plan as a participant experiences changes in employment status. During 2024, there were no transfers of Plan assets to or from other Company sponsored plans.

**2.** **Summary of Significant Accounting Policies**

**Basis of Accounting**

The financial statements of the Plan are prepared under the accrual method of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).

**Investment Valuation and Income Recognition**

The Plan's investments are stated at fair value. The Plan defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or more advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Plan's Investment & Funding Committee (the Committee) determines the Plan's valuation policies utilizing information provided by the investment advisors and Trustee.

The Plan presents in the accompanying statement of changes in net assets available for benefits the net appreciation or depreciation in the value of its investments which consists of the realized gains or losses and the unrealized appreciation or depreciation on those investments.

Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis.

<u>Registered Investment Companies (mutual funds):</u>

Shares of mutual funds are valued at the net asset value (NAV) of shares held by the Plan at year end based on the quoted market value of the fund on the last day of the year. These funds are open-end mutual funds registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are deemed to be actively traded. Mutual funds are required to publish their daily NAV and to transact at that price.

<u>Common Stock:</u>

The Brown-Forman Class B common stock is valued at the quoted closing market price on the active market on which the individual securities are traded. The value of a unit reflects the market value of one share of the underlying Sponsor stock.

<u>Collective Trusts:</u>

The Plan's interest in collective trusts is valued at the NAV per unit as determined by the collective trusts as of the valuation date. They are valued on the basis of the relative interest of each participating investor at the fair value of the underlying assets. The NAV is used as a practical expedient to estimate fair value. This

practical expedient is not used when it is determined to be probable that the fund will sell the investment for an amount different than the reported NAV. There are no unfunded commitments with respect to these investments. Participant-directed redemptions of these investments have no restrictions, except for the

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**Brown-Forman Corporation Savings Plan**

**Notes to Financial Statements**

**December 31, 2024 and 2023**

Putnam Stable Value Fund, and may be redeemed daily. For the investments in the Putnam Stable Value Fund, the Plan is required to provide a one-year redemption notice to liquidate its entire share in the funds.

Additionally, Putnam Stable Value Fund redemptions made to another investment option by a participant may be made on any business day, provided the exchange is not directed into a competing fund (money market fund or other fixed income funds). Transferred amounts must be held in a non-competing investment option for 90 days before subsequent transfers to a competing fund can occur. The investment may be subject to redemption restrictions, at the Trustee's discretion, to the extent it is determined such actions would disrupt management of the funds.

<u>Pooled Separate Accounts:</u>

The Plan's interest in pooled separate accounts (PSAs) are valued at the NAV per unit as determined by the pooled separate accounts as of the valuation date. The PSAs are valued on the basis of the relative interest of each participating investor at the fair value of the underlying assets. The NAV is used as a practical expedient to estimate fair value and is based on the value of the underlying investment assets held through sub accounts of a separate account of an insurance company. This practical expedient is not used when it is determined to be probable that the accounts will sell the investment for an amount different than the reported NAV. The investments are redeemable at the adjusted NAV on a daily basis under agreements with the insurance company. There are currently no redemption restrictions or unfunded commitments for these investments.

**Notes Receivable from Participants**

Notes receivable from participants are valued at the outstanding principal balance plus accrued interest. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. No allowance for credit losses has been recorded as of December 31, 2024 or 2023. If a participant ceases to make loan repayments and the plan administrator deems the participant loan to be in default, the participant is taxed on the deemed distribution of the defaulted amount, but the loan balance is not offset until and unless the account is actually distributed.

**Management Estimates**

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of net assets available for benefits and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of additions to and deductions from net assets during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

**Risks and Uncertainties**

The Plan invests in various investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market, liquidity, and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants' account balances and the amounts reported in the statement of net assets available for benefits.

**Payment of Benefits**

Benefits are recorded when paid.

**Investment Management Fees and Operating Expenses**

Investment management fees and operating expenses charged to the Plan for investments in the various funds are deducted from income earned on a daily basis and are reflected as a component of net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments.

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**Brown-Forman Corporation Savings Plan**

**Notes to Financial Statements**

**December 31, 2024 and 2023**

**Administrative Expenses**

The Company pays consulting fees, record keeping fees, and certain other administrative expenses; certain fees for participant-specific transactions are paid from participant accounts and shown in the financial statements.

**Subsequent Events**

Subsequent events are events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued. Management has evaluated events and transactions occurring after December 31, 2024, and no subsequent events requiring accrual or disclosure have occurred that are not otherwise disclosed herein.

**3.** **Tax Status**

The IRS has determined, and informed the Company by a letter dated September 18, 2017, that the Plan and related trust are designed in accordance with the applicable sections of the IRC. The Plan has been amended since receiving that document. However, the plan administrator believes that the Plan is designed and is currently being operated in compliance with the applicable provisions of the IRC.

GAAP requires plan management to evaluate tax positions taken by the Plan and recognize a tax liability (or asset) if the Plan has taken an uncertain position that more likely than not would not be sustained upon examination by the IRS. The plan administrator has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan, and has concluded that as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken that would require recognition of a liability (or asset) or disclosure in the financial statements. The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress. The plan administrator believes it is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2021.

**4.** **Plan Termination**

Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. In the event of plan termination, participants will become 100% vested in their accounts.

**5.** **Related Party & Parties-in-Interest Transactions**

Parties-in-interest include fiduciaries and employees of the Plan, persons providing services to the Plan, an employer whose employees are covered by the Plan, an employee organization whose members are covered by the Plan, a person who owns 50% or more of the employer, or such organization and relatives of any such persons as listed.

Plan investments include notes receivable from participants. These investments are also considered party-in-interest transactions.

The Plan invests in units of pooled separate account funds managed by Empower Annuity Insurance Company. Empower Trust Company, LLC, the trustee of the Plan, and Empower Retirement LLC, the recordkeeper of the Plan, are affiliates of Empower Annuity Insurance Company. Therefore, these transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions.

During the current year, participants in the Plan were eligible to invest in Brown-Forman Corporation Class B common stock through the ESOP. Effective April 2024, State Street Global Advisors Trust Company was appointed as an ERISA Section 3(38) investment manager and independent fiduciary managing the Brown-

Forman Corporation Class B common stock investment. Purchases and sales of $885,777 and $10,017,446 respectively, of Brown-Forman Corporation Class B common stock were made from the ESOP portion of the Plan during the year ended December 31, 2024. The number of these shares held by the Plan was 854,571 and 1,050,904 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Dividends received from the Plan

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**Brown-Forman Corporation Savings Plan**

**Notes to Financial Statements**

**December 31, 2024 and 2023**

on this stock totaled approximately $882,000 and realized net losses on sales were approximately $2,189,000 for the Plan year ended December 31, 2024; the fair value of the stock held by the Plan as of that date was $32,456,610.

Participant transaction fees are paid directly by the participant and these transactions are also considered party-in-interest transactions. Certain administrative services are provided by the Sponsor at no cost to the Plan and certain administrative costs incurred by the Plan are paid by the Sponsor.

**6.** **Fair Value Measurements**

The fair values of assets and liabilities are categorized into three levels based upon the assumptions (inputs) used to determine those values. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value, while Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment.

Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. A description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value is included in Note 2. Fair value guidance establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described as follows:

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. The Plan's investments with active markets include its investment in Brown-Forman Corporation Class B common stock, as well as its investments in mutual funds which are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs. For these investments, quoted current market prices are readily available.

Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active; or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, or that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means for substantially the full term of the assets. There are no investments in the Plan that represent a level 2 valuation.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs (i.e. projections, estimates, interpretations, etc.) that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets. There are no investments in the Plan that represent a level 3 valuation.

There have been no changes in the valuation methodologies used at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

The valuation methods described in Note 2 may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Further, although the Plan believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

------

**Brown-Forman Corporation Savings Plan**

**Notes to Financial Statements**

**December 31, 2024 and 2023**

The following table represents the Plan's fair value hierarchy for its financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2024:

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2024** | **Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2024** | **Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2024** | **Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2024** |
|  | **Total** | **Quoted Prices<br>in Active<br>Markets for<br>Identical Assets<br>(Level 1)** | **Significant<br>Other<br>Observable<br>Inputs<br>(Level 2)** | **Significant<br>Unobservable<br>Inputs<br>(Level 3)** |
| Mutual funds | $365225666 | $365225666 | $— | $— |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Brown-Forman Corporation<br>Class B common stock | 32456610 | 32456610 |  |  |
| Total assets in fair value hierarchy | 397682276 | 397682276 |  |  |
| Investments measured at net<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; asset value (a): |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Collective trusts | 207823970 |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pooled separate accounts | 38226964 |  |  |  |
| Investments at fair value | $643733210 | $397682276 | $— | $— |

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The following table represents the Plan's fair value hierarchy for its financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023:

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2023** | **Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2023** | **Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2023** | **Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2023** |
| | **Total** | **Quoted Prices<br>in Active<br>Markets for<br>Identical Assets<br>(Level 1)** | **Significant<br>Other<br>Observable<br>Inputs<br>(Level 2)** | **Significant<br>Unobservable<br>Inputs<br>(Level 3)** |
| Mutual funds | $333763136 | $333763136 | $— | $— |
| Brown-Forman Corporation<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Class B common stock | 60006636 | 60006636 |  |  |
| Total assets in fair value hierarchy | 393769772 | 393769772 |  |  |
| Investments measured at net<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; asset value (a): |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Collective trusts | 193844632 |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pooled separate accounts | 37231955 |  |  |  |
| Investments at fair value | $624846359 | $393769772 | $— | $— |

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board guidance, investments measured at fair value using NAV as a practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in these tables are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the investments at fair value presented in the statement of net assets available for benefits. This amount represents investments in collective trusts and pooled separate accounts which each file a Form 5500 as a direct filing entity. As such, significant investment strategies have not been disclosed for these investments.

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**Brown-Forman Corporation Savings Plan**

**Notes to Financial Statements**

**December 31, 2024 and 2023**

**7.** **Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500**

The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements at December 31, 2024 and 2023, to Form 5500:

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | **2024** | **2023** |
| Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements | $648741272 | $631006051 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Deemed distributed loans | (191299) |  |
| Net assets available for benefits per the Form 5500 | $648549973 | $631006051 |

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The following is a reconciliation of the changes in net assets available for benefits per the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, to Form 5500:

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| | **2024** |
| Change in net assets available for benefits per the financial statements | $17735221 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Deemed distributed loans | (191299) |
| Change in net assets available for benefits per the Form 5500 | $17543922 |

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**Supplemental Schedule**

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**Brown-Forman Corporation Savings Plan**

**Plan #006 EIN #61-0143150**

**Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)**

**December 31, 2024**

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Identity of Issuer, Borrower,<br>Lessor or Similar Party** | **Description of Investment Including<br>Maturity Date, Rate of Interest,<br>Collateral, Par or Maturity Value** | **Cost\*\*** | **Current<br>Value** |
| <u>Collective Trust Funds</u> |  |  |  |
| Putnam Investments | Stable Value Fund |  | $37393950 |
| JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. | SmartRetirement Passive Blend Income Fund |  | 2630583 |
| JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. | SmartRetirement Passive Blend 2020 Fund |  | 1864631 |
| JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. | SmartRetirement Passive Blend 2025 Fund |  | 10704639 |
| JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. | SmartRetirement Passive Blend 2030 Fund |  | 18617212 |
| JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. | SmartRetirement Passive Blend 2035 Fund |  | 19321215 |
| JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. | SmartRetirement Passive Blend 2040 Fund |  | 27674208 |
| JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. | SmartRetirement Passive Blend 2045 Fund |  | 27410871 |
| JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. | SmartRetirement Passive Blend 2050 Fund |  | 44957772 |
| JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. | SmartRetirement Passive Blend 2055 Fund |  | 11011263 |
| JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. | SmartRetirement Passive Blend 2060 Fund |  | 6237626 |
| <u>Pooled Separate Accounts</u> |  |  |  |
| \*Empower | Core Plus Bond PGIM Fund |  | 28022131 |
| \*Empower | Mid Cap Value Robeco Boston Partners |  | 10204833 |
| <u>Mutual Funds</u> |  |  |  |
| American Funds | International Growth and Income Fund |  | 17019050 |
| Janus Henderson Investors | Enterprise Fund |  | 28139864 |
| Fidelity Investments | Extended Market Index |  | 44971926 |
| Fidelity Investments | International Index |  | 32875045 |
| Fidelity Investments | 500 Index |  | 105372099 |
| MFS | Massachusetts Inv Gr Stk R6 |  | 107897105 |
| MFS | Value R6 |  | 28950577 |
| <u>Other</u> |  |  |  |
| \* Brown-Forman Corporation | Class B common stock shares |  | 32456610 |
| \* Notes receivable from participants | Loans, interest rates of 3.25% – 9.50%,<br>various maturities through December 2029,<br>net of deemed distributions of $191,299 |  | 3718810 |
|  |  |  | $647452020 |

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\* Party-in-interest to the Plan

\*\* Cost data has been omitted for the assets listed in the above table as the assets were all participant directed.

*See report of independent registered public accounting firm*

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**SIGNATURES**

*The Plan:* Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| | **Brown-Forman Corporation Savings Plan** |
| | **(Name of Plan)** |
| June 25, 2025 | /s/ Heather Dunn |
|  | Heather Dunn,<br>VP, Director Total Rewards, HR Analytics & Operations<br>Member, Employee Benefits Committee <br>(Plan Administrator) |

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**EXHIBIT INDEX**

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit No.** | **Description** |
| 23.1 | <u>[Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Crowe LLP](consent-006bfsavings2025.htm)</u> |

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## Exhibit 23.1

**Exhibit 23.1**

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-253992 on Form S-8 of Brown-Forman Corporation of our report dated June 25, 2025 appearing in this Annual Report on Form 11-K of Brown-Forman Corporation Savings Plan for the year ended December 31, 2024.

/s/ Crowe LLP

Crowe LLP

South Bend, Indiana

June 25, 2025

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