Women Whiskey Founders
Michter’s Distillery
Willett Distillery
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15
Nelson’s GreenBrier Distillery
Tenth Ward Distilling Company
Jack Daniel’s Distillery
Maker's Mark Distillery
James B. Beam Distilling Co.
Nearest Green Distillery
Michter’s Distillery
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7
8
9
11
12
13
14
Brown-Forman Distillery
(NOTE: FOUNDERS ARE LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
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2
3
4
5
Cascade Hollow Distilling Co.
Nearest Green Distillery
Old Dominick Distillery
Castle & Key Distillery
Catoctin Creek Distilling Company
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2
3
Victoria Eady Butler
Alex Castle
THIS FOUNDERS HISTORY WILL BE PUBLISHED SOON
Nicole Austin
Nicole began at George Dickel in 2018 as the General Manager and Distiller. She doesn’t like the job title of “Master Distiller” stating, “I have a real job, not just hand shaking. Plus, I feel too young for that.” Indeed, she is only 38, but she has enjoyed monumental success at George Dickel. She has been vital to the significant success of several George Dickel brands, including the launching of the Cascade Moon Whisky series, George Dickel Bourbon and George Dickel Bottled in Bond.
THIS FOUNDERS HISTORY WILL BE PUBLISHED SOON
4
5
6
Rebecca Harris
Becky is the President and serves as the Chief Distiller at Catoctin Creek and has focused on creating the finest Virginia Rye Whisky from grain to glass. Catoctin Creek Distillery was started early in the wave of craft distilleries. They started in 2009 with a tiny 100-gallon still and a single full-time employee which happened to be Becky.
Marianne Eaves
THIS FOUNDERS HISTORY WILL BE PUBLISHED SOON
Pam Heilman
When Joseph Magliocco, of Michter’s, came to her with the opportunity to start a distillery, this challenge was truly intriguing. She would have her hands in everything! From personnel to equipment, this was exciting! She couldn’t say no. Heilmann’s philosophy is “the best of everything.”
7
8
9
Britt Kulsveen
THIS FOUNDERS HISTORY WILL BE PUBLISHED SOON
Louisa Nelson
Louisa Christine Nelson (Rolfing) was the wife and business partner of Nelson Greenbrier Distillery founder Charles Nelson – married for 30 years, she was her husband’s shrewdest and most ambitious partner while operating as wholesale grocers, and later as distillers and distributors for roughly thirty different brands of liquor ranging from Tennessee Whiskey, bourbon whiskey, corn whiskey, gin, and both apple and peach brandy.
Monica Pierce
THIS FOUNDERS HISTORY WILL BE PUBLISHED SOON
10
11
12
Peggy Noe Stevens
THIS FOUNDERS HISTORY WILL BE PUBLISHED SOON
Lexie Phillips
Just as she has done for the past ten years, Lexie Phillips makes her short daily drive from where she was raised in Estill Springs to the Jack Daniel’s distillery. It is down the quiet, two-lane stretch of smooth country blacktop, past the polite, white-frame houses of small-town Tennessee. Except these days, Lexie has been named the first female Assistant Master Distiller at the renowned whiskey works, operating side-by-side with Master Distiller Chris Fletcher.
Margaret Samuels
THIS FOUNDERS HISTORY WILL BE PUBLISHED SOON
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14
15
Jackie Zykan
In 2015 Jackie was hired as a spokeswoman for Old Forester. Her first day on the job was July 6th, 2015, ironically the same day as the Whiskey Row fire at the new Old Forester distillery being built on Main Street. Originally carrying the title of Master Bourbon Specialist, the position was one of PR and marketing, but when she learned the extent of the project for the new distillery on Whiskey Row, she boldly told Campbell Brown, President of Brown-Forman, that by the time the new distillery opened, she’d be Master Taster for the Old Forester brand. Then she got down to work doing all the necessary training and championed herself for the role. When the distillery opened, she was, indeed, promoted to Master Taster.
Andrea Marie Wilson
In 2014, her job at Diageo was dissolved and she began at Michter’s the next day. Literally, the next day, July 1, 2014. From a giant in the industry to a family-owned business, which has brought a new list of opportunities for Wilson. From then to now, she has become the Master of Maturation and Chief Operating Officer there. While at Michter’s, she has used her passion to help extensively grow the Shively Distillery. She was equally as important in the establishment of the Fort Nelson Distillery and their farm and operations in Springfield.
