This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
News
George Dickel distiller joins Popcorn Sutton
George Dickel’s master distiller, John Lunn, has joined Tennessee distillery Popcorn Sutton after leaving Diageo last week.
John Lunn, former master distiller of George Dickel Tennessee whiskey, has joined smaller producer Popcorn Sutton
Lunn, who has served with Diageo for 11 years, most recently as director of the Southern Hub and master distiller on George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey, left the group on 13 March.
It has now been revealed that Lunn has joined the 50,000sqft Popcorn Sutton Distillery in Newport, Tennessee as master distiller, as the brand seeks to further its regional and national footprint.
“The chance to work in Tennessee was certainly appealing to me, but what excited me most is the incredible opportunity here,” said Lunn.
Popcorn Sutton, which takes its name from the legendary bootlegger who committed suicide in 2009 rather than be sent to federal prison, is distilled three times using a 100-year-old recipe.
“It’s not often you get to be associated with an American folk hero like Popcorn Sutton,” Lunn added. “The uniqueness of that, combined with the talented team and state-of-the-art production facility that’s been developed here, were simply too good to pass up.”
Megan Kvamme, CEO of Popcorn Sutton Distilling, said the brand is primed to take advantage of domestic consumer demand for “craft brands, white spirits and Bourbon”.
“I can’t think of a better person to lead us into the future than John,” she said. “Not only has he spent the last 10 years perfecting his craft, but his passion for authenticity and quality is the perfect match for the Popcorn Sutton brand. We’re looking forward to many big things to come.”
Popcorn Sutton is currently available in 20 states across the Southeast and Midwest, and features a line of flavoured spirits under the Mrs Sutton’s brand.
The brand tussled with Brown-Forman in 2013 over an alleged copyright infringement that claimed Popcorn Sutton’s bottle design was “confusingly similar” to its own. However, the lawsuit was dismissed after Popcorn Sutton agreed to change its design.
Diageo, owner of the George Dickel brand, is yet to comment on Lunn’s move, while a replacement is yet to be announced.