Women In Whiskey Returns to Nashville Whiskey Festival

August 15, 2018

The Nashville Whiskey Festival is back for its seventh year in Music City. The Festival, produced by Midtown Corkdorks, culminates in a grand tasting on Saturday, October 6. A number of events during the week lead up to the Saturday finale including Women In Whiskey. Straight Up 615‘s very own, yours truly, Cary Ann Fuller will again moderate a panel of women in the whiskey world. Read More

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Women In Whiskey Welcomes Allisa Henley Back for Second Year

September 5, 2018

Allisa Henley, Distiller at Sazerac of Tennessee, returns to the Nashville Whiskey Festival’s Women In Whiskey this year on October 4th at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. This all-women, all-producer event will include a tasting of the panel members’ whiskeys and a discussion moderated by Straight Up 615’s Cary Ann Fuller. VIP ticket holders will have the opportunity to pick a barrel with the women of the panel.

AHenley WIW17

Henley on the 2017 Women In Whiskey panel

Henley is a born and raised Tennessean with a passion for all things whiskey.  She is especially passionate about Tennessee Whiskey and Bourbon and joined Sazerac of Tennessee in July of 2016. She plays an integral role in the development of Sazerac’s new Tennessee Whiskey, along with other fine Tennessee spirits. Henley also was the public face behind the push to move Tennessee operations to Murfreesboro from Newport, in part to be a more accessible stop on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail.

She has worked in the spirits industry for more than 14 years, spending the first part of her career at Diageo. During this time, she wore many hats, including brand marketing, ambassador, educator, and distillery and warehouse operations.  She was the first Diageo operations person recognized as a Master of Whiskey.  Through her hard work and dedication, she became the Distiller of George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey.

Allisa travels the country sharing her industry experience and knowledge.  She can uniquely discuss the business from the distillery and maturing operations side as well as from the marketing and customer perspective.  She continues to share her experiences in tastings, seminars, representing women in whiskey, and by hands on education in a distillery setting.

Allisa has a B.A in Business Administration from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and M.B.A. from Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN.

 

Barton to Release “Great Collapse” Limited Edition

June 22, 2018

warehouse_collapse_2

Well, maybe. According to local news source The Kentucky Standard, approximately 10,000 barrels of bourbon occupying half of a warehouse at Barton 1792 Distillery spilled out of the collapsed structure this morning. No one was hurt.

Immediate concerns include the fate and safety of the remaining 10,000 barrels and the possible pollution of a nearby tributary.  First responders are hopeful that the majority of the ruptured barrels are pooling in the warehouse’s basement.

At this time, no volunteers are needed for clean up, but thanks for asking. No word quite yet on the special release of the surviving barrels, but we’ll look forward to the announcement!

Willett Distillery Promotes Britt Kulsveen to President

June 14, 2018

Today is National Bourbon Day, Flag Day, and the 39th birthday of newly-promoted Britt Kulsveen.

Five generations ago, the Willett family began distilling in Bardstown, Kentucky. John David Willett died shortly before Prohibition after stints with at least five Kentucky distilleries. In 1936, just three years after Prohibition’s repeal, his son and grandson bought land on the highest point in Nelson county and began to build what is now the Willett Distillery.

Martha Willett Kulsveen and her husband Even took over as the fourth generation, and the fifth generation, siblings Drew and Britt Kulsveen, joined the family business in 2003 and 2005 respectively.  Drew is the master distiller and, today, Britt takes over the role of President from her mother Martha.

“This is a tremendous honor and I’m incredibly thankful for the teachings and traditions that have been passed down from generations of strong Willett women, especially my mother, that have guided my personal and professional life,” Kulsveen stated in a press release.

“The importance of gratitude, kindness and serving others have been instilled in my beliefs since birth and are firmly rooted in my plans for our distillery’s future. Like our bourbon, the Willett brand of Southern hospitality is unique, timeless, authentic and welcoming without prejudice.

“As president and chief whiskey officer, I pledge to honor these fundamental family values as we continue to shape our distillery, our signature industry, and our beloved commonwealth for generations to come.”

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