One of the nicest and most humble people in the bourbon industry got a major nod of recognition recently. Marlene Holmes, the master distiller of Milam & Greene Whiskey, was inducted into Whisky Magazine’s Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Louisville.
The Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame honors “individuals who have made significant, lasting, and impactful contributions to the spirits industry.”
Whiskey Network was on hand when Holmes was named “Master Distiller of the Year” at the Women of Whiskey Awards for her groundbreaking work and dedication to the craft.
Holmes got her start 35 years ago with Jim Beam in Kentucky, working with Booker Noe. In 2018, Holmes moved to Blanco, Texas to help launch Milam & Greene.
“Marlene’s induction into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards is a win for not only Marlene but for Milam & Greene Distillery and the Texas whiskey industry. Her influence reaches far beyond distilling. She’s inspiring the next generation of whiskey makers while drawing in new consumers with her fearless spirit, ensuring that her legacy will endure for years to come.”
About Milam & Greene Whiskey
(From the distillery) Milam & Greene Whiskey believes in using the best people and ingredients to create delicious, award-winning whiskey for whiskey lovers. Named after its founder, Texas entrepreneur Marsha Milam, and CEO, master blender, and author, Heather Greene, Milam & Greene Whiskey embodies the dedication and expertise of its remarkable team. Milam & Greene Whiskey is made by some of the world’s most experienced whiskey professionals, including Heather Greene, and 30-year whiskey veteran and master distiller, Marlene Holmes. Milam & Greene earned recognition as the “2023 Rising Star Spirits Company of the Year” at The Ascot Awards followed by Heather Greene being awarded “Master Blender of the Year,” and Marlene Holmes was recently named “2024 Master Distiller of the Year.” The Milam & Greene team distills in Blanco, Texas on copper pot stills as well as in Kentucky on classic column stills, using its proprietary yeast recipe and mash bill. Aging takes place in casks with an assortment of char levels, located in rickhouses spread across four states with varying climates and terroir resulting in a variety of flavors that create the most thorough array of casks collected by any craft distiller. These casks become the ingredients from which its award-winning American whiskey range is batched to create perfection. For more information visit: milamandgreenewhiskey.com.
