Whiskey industry veteran Jackie Zykan is “stepping away” from her role as master blender for Hidden Barn Bourbon. Zykan said she is beginning a “new agricultural venture” and will focus more on her whiskey-based fragrance company.
Zykan started Hidden Barn Bourbon with Royce Neeley and Nate Winegar in 2022. Neeley purchased the brand from the partners in 2024. Zykan stayed on as master blender and Winegar as brand ambassador. The Neeley Family Distillery continues to distill the bourbon.
Zykan was previously the master blender at Old Forester.
“We have been thrilled to work with Jackie over the years and we look forward to continuing to work with her in a different capacity as she supplies some of our herbs for our Neeley’s Wormwood Absinthe Verte,” said Royce Neeley, Master Distiller, Neeley Family Distillery. “We learned a lot from Jackie and have the utmost respect for her palate and blending abilities, and plan to continue to make Hidden Barn just as we have before. Our entire family thinks the world of Jackie, and the door is always open to future Hidden Barn collaborations. We’re excited about being able to work with her in this new capacity.”
“I’ve so appreciated having this opportunity to work with the Neeley family and Nate, and I’m grateful for their support as I start my new agriculture venture, and also focus on my other business, Oduoak, which is a line of whiskey-based fragrances I created in 2020. I am honored to lean into my background of biology and chemistry to shed light on the importance of intentional and sustainable botanical sourcing. Diversifying my engagement with the natural world by growing aromatic flowers and herbs for both fragrance and spirits is an inherent next step in my journey. Being able to supply the herbs for Neeley’s Absinthe to deepen its roots as a Kentucky-made product is something I’m really excited about.”
Jackie Zykan, Master Blender Emeritus
Hidden Barn Bourbon
About Hidden Barn Bourbon
Hidden Barn’s name harkens back to the local communities who painted their barns black in solidarity with distillers during Prohibition. This sense of community is continued today through the passion for quality whiskey and camaraderie shared by its three partners, Jackie Zykan, Royce Neeley and Nate Winegar. Together, the three friends bring their own strengths – a superior palate, distilling prowess, and a powerhouse connector to form Hidden Barn Bourbon. Previous Hidden Barn Series releases have earned Best of Class in the Small Batch Bourbon Up to 5 years by The Tasting Alliance, Double Golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2023 and 2024, and Best Small Batch, 1st Place at the 2023 New Orleans Bourbon Festival. Hidden Barn Bourbon is owned by Neeley Family Distillery. The brand is available online and in select states. For more information visit hiddenbarnwhiskey.com
