Sazerac announces Truman Cox’s replacement

Sazerac has appointed a new master distiller for the A. Smith Bowman Distillery after former distiller Truman Cox unexpectedly passed away earlier this year.

Brian Prewitt takes over the position of master distiller of A.Smith Bowman from teh late Truman Cox

Brian Prewitt, who most recently worked for E&J Distilleries in Modesto, California, joins the Virginia distillery with almost 15 years experience of brewing and distilling.

Prewitt first learned his craft at the University of California where he completes the Master Brewers Program, before going onto work with The Great Divide Brewing Company in Denver, Colorado.

At E&J Prewitt trained under two master distillers to learn the art of distillation, as well as fermentation, distillation and maturation.

As master distiller at the A. Smith Bowman Distillery, Prewitt will be required to distill a variety of liquids for Sazerac’s portfolio, including Virginia Gentleman Bourbon, Deep Run Vodka, Sunset Hills Gin, George Brown rum,  Bowman Brothers Straight Bourbon, John J Bowman Straight Bourbon and Abraham Bowman Virginia Whiskey.

“This is my dream job,” he said. “To be able to work with the high quality spirits that are in the Bowman line already, plus have the freedom to try my hand at some experiments, well, I’m just ecstatic.”

Prewitt replaces former master distiller Truman Cox, who died in February at the age of 44 following a short illness. He had been in the position for just two years.