Katrina Egbert
“The Buddha of Bourbon’s Right Hand”
Katrina Egbert has had a big role in Wild Turkey’s success through her contributions in its reputation and growth in the bourbon industry. However, her career began one afternoon raking leaves when a family friend, Mary Jane McCullough stopped by to see her. Katrina asked if Wild Turkey was hiring and luckily Mary Jane needed some help in customer service and so began her career at Wild Turkey. She would stay in that position for five years until Jimmy Russell’s assistant stepped down. Katrina would step into that role and remain until this day.
Katrina focused on brand development by targeting local events and through efforts to improve the Visitor Center experience. She helped present Wild Turkey as a brand that resonates not only with loyal bourbon enthusiasts but also with a younger, emerging crowd. One of Katrina’s most notable contributions has been in storytelling and brand authenticity. She worked to amplify the Wild Turkey legacy, bringing attention to its unique history and dedication to traditional distilling processes. Katrina played a pivotal role in Wild Turkey’s presence at the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival, creating an interactive experience for visitors that focused on Wild Turkey’s heritage and commitment to quality, helping to reinforce the brand’s identity as a premium product that stands out in a crowded market. In 2012 she also had a hand in the first Bourbon Chase that was run from Clermont to Lexington, that traveled through and made a stop in Lawrenceburg for the estimated 10,000 marathon runners.
Katrina Egbert’s work at Wild Turkey exemplifies the impact of strong leadership in brand development, innovation, and sustainability. Her efforts and successes were awarded with her induction into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2019. Eqbert is one of only five Hall of Fame inductees from the Wild Turkey Distillery and Campai as a whole. She followed Jimmy Russell who was inducted in the inaugural class in 2001; Earnest Ripy, Jr; Thomas McCarthy, and Eddie Russell.
