BEVERAGE INDUSTRY INCLUSION
BEVERAGE INDUSTRY INCLUSION
While the flagship Old No . 7 whiskey is “ the beating heart ” of Jack Daniel ’ s , the company has released several innovations in recent years , including single-barrel ryes and a bottled-in-bond series .
its Bonded series last year . Bottled-in-bond whiskey must be produced at a single distillery within the same distilling season ; it must then be aged for at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse under federal government supervision , and bottled at 100 proof . “ The transparency of bottled-in-bond means a lot ,” Phillips said .
A women-led brand and marketing panel explained how the company started creating special releases to test product extensions , bring in a new audience and showcase its craft . “ We ’ re working to expand our portfolio to bring in more premium products ,” said Jessica Mazzonetto , global brand manager for Jack Daniel ’ s super premium brands .
That said , panelists stressed that the flagship whiskey , Jack Daniel ’ s Old No . 7 , was “ the beating heart ” of the business .
A SHARED LEGACY A lunch panel discussion with female members of the production team included sisters Debbie Staples and Jackie Hardin . Longtime employees of the distillery , they are the sixth generation of their family to work at the Jack Daniel Distillery . They ’ re also the great-great-granddaughters of Nathan “ Nearest ” Green , a former slave and master distiller .
It was Green who taught a young Jack Daniel how to make whiskey while both worked at the Call family farm in 1864 . Daniel then hired Green as head distiller when he established the Jack Daniel Distillery in 1866 .
While people in Lynchburg knew about Green , many didn ’ t realize the extent of his importance to Jack Daniel ’ s . Some were dubious about his family ’ s claims .
The launch of Uncle Nearest whiskey in 2017 , and the work that Jack Daniel ’ s has done in recent years to tell the story , helped shine a light on Green ’ s considerable contribution to Tennessee whiskey .
Staples , who recently retired after some 40 years with Jack Daniel ’ s , became emotional during the panel when describing what this recognition has meant to her family : “ We can talk about it now , and people believe us .”
6 2023 Beverage Industry Inclusion