Remember Marianne Barnes? She was recently named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for her work at Brown Forman. Barnes started off as an intern and made her way up to Master Taster, making her one of the highest ranking women in the bourbon industry.
Barnes was recently hired by the regenerating Old Taylor Distillery in Frankfort to be the Master Distiller when operations finally resume. What’s more, she has become a partner in the business, giving her a personal stake in the success or unlikely failure of this historic distillery.
According to a recent article in the Lexington Herald-Leader, Barnes is excited about the prospect of building a brand from the ground up. She says, “The biggest risk was maybe not knowing how long this place would be around, what the industry would look like five years down the road when we have mature bourbon to sell. But you don't get where you want to go unless you take some risks.”
The distillery is undergoing major renovations and construction, including the addition of a laboratory for Barnes, a chemical engineer. Distillation is expected to begin at the start of 2016. In addition to bourbon, Barnes hopes to distil a gin as well, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.
We’ve seen a lot of new distilleries open in Kentucky over the last few years as well as the resurrection of many historical brands. Any new bourbon is a welcome addition to the landscape, especially one that owes its very being to a talented entrepreneurial woman.
Photos Courtesy of Woodford Reserve and Shutterstock.com
