Company:
Jack Daniel’s

Job:
Master Distiller

Website:
jackdaniels.com



How long
have you been working in the whisky industry?
I joined
Jack Daniel’s 13 years ago as the quality control manager after spending my
first 10 years in food & beverages manufacturing with another company.

What has
been your biggest career highlight to date?
There have
been many, but the thing I’m most proud of is the continued growth and
increasing popularity of Jack Daniel’s whiskey during my tenure as master
distiller.

Can you
remember your first dram, and indeed what it was?
Before
joining Jack Daniel’s, I was a member of the Tennessee squires association and
a huge fan of the brand. My first memory was ordering a ‘Jack and Coke’ in
college.

What does
whisky mean to you?
For many
people, including myself, whiskey is more than a drink choice. It makes a
statement about who you are and the things you value as a person. I think Jack
Daniel’s attracts people who value authenticity and independence and those
traits are both important to me as well.

Where would
you like to see yourself in five years time?
In five
years, I hope Jack Daniel’s will be surpassing a well-known Scotch company to
become the largest and most loved whiskey brand on the planet.

What was
your last dram?
My last dram
was a glass of Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select served neat.

Do you have
a favourite whisky and food pairing combination?
I tend to
enjoy whiskey either before or after dinner so that I can enjoy each sip to the
fullest. Among the Jack Daniel’s family of whiskies, I tend to drink Gentleman
Jack the most with my meals. It’s light vanilla and soft oak notes pair well
with fish, chicken and pastas.

What’s your
favourite time and place to enjoy a dram?
My favourite
time to enjoy any whiskey is after work and my favourite place is anywhere my
family and friends are.

What do you
think is going to be the next big thing on the whiskey horizon?
American
whiskey is definitely hot right now and much of this growth is happening in
bourbon style and Tennessee whiskey. We expect rye whiskey to also experience a
renaissance and have already begun distilling and maturing a high rye content
whiskey at Jack Daniel’s.

What’s the
one dram you couldn’t live without?
Although
Jack Daniel’s single barrel is my personal favourite, I think I would have to
choose our Old No.7 Black Label if I could only have one. It’s been my tried
and true choice in whiskey for the last 25 years.

Many
thanks to Jeff Arnett. Who will be the next Whisky Insider? Click back soon to
find out!