Allisa Henley, an 11 year veteran with George Dickel Distillery in Tullahoma, Tennessee has jumped ship and accepted a new position at Popcorn Sutton Distilling in Newport, Tennessee as Master Blender.
Henley has worked for more than 11 years at Diageo’s George Dickel Distillery in a variety of positions including Visitor Experience Manager and most recently as the facility’s Distiller. During her time with George Dickel, Henley was instrumental in the launch of George Dickel’s Barrel Select Tennessee Whiskey, Rye Whisky and Single Barrel products. She is also credited with the creation and operation of the brand’s consumer experience center and, most recently, with the discovery and launch of a rare 17 year-old limited edition Tennessee Whiskey.
Henley says, “I am looking forward to working with the team to create and successfully bring to market a variety of innovative and unique premium quality spirits products.”
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11 Year Itch
Popcorn Sutton Distilling Master Distiller John Lunn
The move to Popcorn Sutton Distilling means that Henley will reunite with Master Distiller, John R. Lunn, with whom she worked alongside for much of her career at George Dickel. Ironically, Lunn left George Dickel Distillery in March 2015 after 11 years for craft spirits maker Popcorn Sutton Distilling. The company says the two native Tennesseans will work together to combine creativity with traditional methods utilizing Popcorn Sutton’s state-of-the-art capabilities. The distillery has the capability to produce from grain to finished bottles with three custom-made Vendome copper pot stills serving as the focal point. “We are able to continue and further the legacy of Popcorn Sutton while also having the freedom to explore and develop creative new products,” says John Lunn. “It’s an exciting time for all of us.”
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Popcorn Sutton Distillery Operations
“I am so pleased to have individuals of John and Allisa’s caliber on our team,” says Popcorn Sutton Distilling CEO Megan Kvamme. “Their passion for authenticity and quality is a perfect fit for our organization and mission. I know their history together, complimentary skill sets, and collaboration moving forward will result in many creative things to come.”
Popcorn Sutton Original Small Batch Recipe takes its name from its creator, Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton, a legendary bootlegger from Cocke County, Tennessee. Using a 100 year old family recipe passed down through generations, Popcorn made his “likker” by hand, selling it out of the back of his Ford Model A truck.
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