A Cincinnati mixologist who constructed her status crafting traditionally correct cocktails has joined certainly one of Kentucky’s fastest-growing bourbon manufacturers. Molly Wellmann, acknowledged as “Finest Bartender/Proprietor within the Nation” by Nightclub and Bar Media, will function Grasp Taster for Hidden Barn Whiskey, entering into a task that shapes the model’s taste profile because it expands into 20 states.
The appointment comes as Hidden Barn seeks exterior experience to keep up consistency whereas scaling manufacturing. Wellmann will work alongside the Neeley Household Distillery staff on batching and single barrel alternatives, persevering with the work of Grasp Blender Emeritus Jackie Zykan.
Hidden Barn Expands Staff with Trade Veteran
“The addition of Molly supplies a precious exterior tasting perspective, in addition to on-premise consumption data, and cocktail crafting experience from one of the revered mixologists within the business,” stated Royce Neeley, president and grasp distiller at Neeley Household Distillery. The Kentucky-based distillery produces Hidden Barn utilizing conventional pot nonetheless strategies and a generations-old household mash recipe.
Wellmann brings a long time of bar possession and consulting expertise to the place. The self-taught mixologist beforehand owned six Cincinnati-area institutions, together with Outdated Kentucky Bourbon Bar and Japp’s. She presently runs Molly Wellmann Consulting & Leisure, advising bar packages all through the area.
Her experience extends past mixing drinks. Wellmann has served as a spirit choose for the American Distilling Institute and The New Orleans Spirit Competitors. She usually speaks at Moonshine College in Louisville and holds Govt Bourbon Steward certification from Stave and Thief.
Molly Wellmann Brings Historic Data to Bourbon Manufacturing
The partnership emerged from shared pursuits in conventional distilling strategies. “One of many issues that drew me to working with the Neeley staff is Royce’s ‘old-fashioned’ distillation methods, utilizing pot nonetheless distillation along with his household’s mash recipe they’ve used for generations,” Wellmann stated. ” It looks like the right pairing for us to share our love of historic distillation to assist Hidden Barn Bourbon develop even additional.”
Each Wellmann and Neeley have studied historic whiskey manufacturing extensively. Wellmann has utilized this analysis to develop period-appropriate cocktail menus all through her profession. She authored Handcrafted Cocktails and is now engaged on a second guide.
Wellmann will make appearances on the Neeley Household Distillery in Northern Kentucky, signing bottles and assembly prospects. She will even journey to markets as Hidden Barn expands distribution.
The appointment represents a shift for Wellmann from serving bourbon to serving to produce it. Her position demonstrates how experience from the bar business more and more influences whiskey manufacturing as craft distilleries search aggressive benefits in crowded markets.
About Hidden Barn
Hidden Barn takes its title from native communities that painted barns black throughout Prohibition to help distillers. The model has earned recognition, together with Better of Class for Small Batch Bourbon from The Tasting Alliance and Double Gold medals on the San Francisco World Spirits Competitors in 2023 and 2024.
Learn the complete article at Award-Profitable Mixologist Molly Wellmann Joins Hidden Barn Whiskey as Grasp Taster
