SARAH BARRETT
Executive Editor Wine & Spirits Daily
Age: 33 First industry job: Assistant Editor for Wine & Spirits Daily Favorite drink: As a true millennial, what I drink depends on the occasion. At home, my go-to is a glass of wine, but if I ' m out and about, I prefer a cocktail.
Sarah Barrett was fresh out of college when she joined the Wine & Spirits Daily team. As her first time getting introduced to the beverage alcohol industry, it was quite a steep learning curve, but she does note that it’ s true when people say,“ Once you join the beverage alcohol industry, it ' s hard to leave.”
Barrett’ s love for the industry has continued to grow ever since she first got started. And helping to cultivate that love was a key mentor of hers, Emily Pennington, who was Barrett’ s former editor at the publication.
NIC CHRISTIANSEN
Blender & Manager of Blending Operations, Barrell Craft Spirits
Age: 39 First Industry Job: A bartender at Maker’ s Mark Bourbon House. Those early days shaped my curiosity and set the foundation for the career I have now. Favorite Drink: My favorite drink is a toss-up between a Boulevardier and a Classic Daiquiri. I love the balance and depth of a well-made Boulevardier, and I’ m equally drawn to the brightness of a daiquiri— sometimes with Jamaican rum, sometimes with Seagrass when I feel like bending the rules a little. I also love the simplicity and versatility of both cocktails: swap any ingredient in a Boulevardier and you get a completely different vibe, and changing the base rum in a daiquiri opens a whole new flavor experience depending on the mood you are in.
Nic Christiansen has elevated the blending and private-barrel program at Barrell Craft Spirits, bringing creative flavor innovation and industry leadership that both accelerates brand growth and elevates the broader bourbon category. Her background as a mixologist and beverage director gives her a unique bridge between cocktail culture, consumer engagement and high-end whiskey craftsmanship. She is a rising voice in bourbon, known for bringing fresh perspectives
“ As a cub reporter, she took me under her wing and provided me with a strong foundation in how to find the right stories, as well as how to navigate industry events,” Barrett says.“ She also instilled me with the confidence to take over the publication as Managing Editor in 2019.”
Now, Barrett has worked her way up the ladder to become the executive editor of Wine & Spirits Daily, leading the publication and providing industry members with information and news they can trust.
“ I took over the publication in 2019 when I had only been there for a few years and was still in my 20’ s,” Barrett says.“ When they handed it off to me, I didn’ t think I was going to be able to do it. But over the years, I’ m proud of the relationships I’ ve built with other industry members. It’ s been monumental in helping to further my career.”
Barrett’ s piece of advice for other young professionals in the industry? Ask for help.
“ It’ s really easy to get bogged down and get stuck in your head, but people are willing to help you,” she says.“ People are there, especially those who’ ve been around for a while, and they’ re ready to give you whatever advice you need. So, definitely ask for help and build your own relationships.”
and inclusive leadership to an evolving category.
“ The biggest challenge I overcame was establishing early credibility in an industry where experience is often equated with age, lineage or decades in a single discipline,” she says.“ I entered the whiskey world through a nontraditional path, and early on I had to earn trust from colleagues and consumers while advocating for blending and finishing approaches that were still emerging. To overcome this, I committed myself to deep technical learning, disciplined palate development, and a level of rigor that allowed my work to speak for itself.
“ I spent hours in the lab making small adjustments, observing how the flavor evolved and learning,” Christiansen continues.“ I focused on letting results speak— blends that performed, finishes that pushed the category forward, and products that consistently resonated in the market. Over time, that foundation not only built credibility but reshaped how others viewed what a modern blender could bring to the industry.”
Considering her industry objectives, Christiansen says,“ My goal is to push the industry forward through innovation, transparency and intentional flavor design— expanding what people believe blended and finished whiskeys can be. I work toward this by leading with curiosity, disciplined sensory work, and a commitment to process. I also strive to understand what excites consumers across every touch point; the package, the storytelling, the colors and the first sip. By combining a passion for flavor exploration with a deep appreciation for the full experience, I aim to elevate both the whiskey and the way people connect with it.”
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