Nashville Craft Lead Distiller, Rachael Sykes is Cookin' Us Up Somethin' Tasty!

It is only July, but Rachael has had a BUSY 2023 already.  Some exciting things have happened and other exciting things are on the near horizon creating quite a buzz for the Nashville Craft brand.

The Nashville based Lead Distiller and Executive Bourbon Steward was elected in April to serve as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Distillers Guild, something she is quite excited about (and should be quite proud of).  This means that she will be working side by side with other members to promote, grow and advocate for the distilling industry in Tennessee.  It also puts her at the leading edge with regard to both the challenges and the new developments in the industry.  Tennessee is in good hands!

Simultaneously, she embarked on a mission to create an American Single Malt Whiskey for Nashville Craft and, while waiting for the final word on the requirements for the single malt, she has started barreling and expects to age the distillate 3-4 years.  She is particularly excited about this as she is not constrained by her need for a new barrel and can use her existing barrels (solving a barrel shortage challenge for her and giving her some additional flavor profile choices).

She has two Nashville Craft favorites and, leaning heavily on my Whiskey Women for educated guidance, I have placed my order for an autographed bottle of each! 

Her first pick is the Original Bourbon Whiskey.  This is a single barrel 100 proof wheated bourbon (60% Corn, 30% Wheat, 10% Barley) that has been aged 4-5 years.  With notes of caramel, vanilla and maple, it was the first whiskey launched by Rachael and Nashville Craft in 2019 and it continues to be a fan favorite.

Her second pick goes in a completely different direction with a distilled spirit specialty.  She really enjoys their Golden Biscuit Sorghum Spirit, a barrel aged version of their Naked Biscuit Sorghum Spirit.  This LIMITED RELEASE is produced from 100% locally sourced sorghum and is aged in used bourbon barrels.  It is a smooth pour with subtle hints of oak and a nose on it that is a little like vanilla cake batter.  This one moves fast.  If the shelves are empty, put yourself on their email list and get in line for the next release!

If you want to know more and would like to chat with Rachael, you can catch up with her at the “Bourbon Belles and Whiskey Women” event at Casey Jones Distillery in Hopkinsville, KY on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 4 pm – til.  There will be an “open to the public" event from 4:00 to 6:00 pm followed by two private ticketed events.  MORE TO COME!