Premium spirits company Staghorn has named a longtime fixture in the craft whiskey scene as the first Master Distiller of its new Garrard County Distilling Co. in Lancaster, Kentucky. Lisa Wicker, formerly President and Master Distiller at Widow Jane Distillery in Brooklyn, New York, joins “the largest all-new independent distillery in Kentucky.”
Staghorn says Wicker “will manage all aspects of whiskey production, including grain selection, fermentation, distillation, blending, and aging for the company’s owned whiskey brands, including All Nations, as well as contract-distilled whiskey.”
“When we were looking for a head distiller at Garrard County Distilling Co., we wanted someone with deep experience in time-honored distilling methods but also someone with an eye for what’s next. This made Lisa our obvious first choice,” said Ray Franklin, Founder of Staghorn.
Wicker’s more-than-two-decades of experience includes lead distilling roles at Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company, Samson & Surrey, Limestone Branch, and Starlight Distillery. Wicker was also a longtime consultant for George Washington’s Distillery in Mount Vernon, Virginia.
The Garrard County Distilling Co. is located 30 minutes south of Lexington and fired up its operation in January. The distillery has the capacity to produce 150,000 barrels of whiskey a year.
“High-rye and wheated bourbons are going to be the calling card for Garrard County Distilling Co., but I am also excited to explore rye whiskey, American single malt and some other emerging categories. Key for me will be to have a premium whiskey for everyone, so expect a broad portfolio across multiple price points, from your daily sipper to the bottle you pull out for special occasions.”
