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
Heaven Hill’s master distiller moves to Maker’s Mark
Beam Suntory has reorganised its Maker’s Mark Distillery leadership team, with Heaven Hill’s Denny Potter taking over from Greg Davis as master distiller and general manager.
(L-r) Greg Davis and Victoria MacRae-Samuels have taken on new roles at Beam Suntory
Potter has worked at Heaven Hill since 2010 as master distiller and vice president of operations. He rejoins the company having previously spent 10 years at Maker’s Mark.
He said said: “I am gratified and humbled to be rejoining the Maker’s Mark Distillery team. I am forever indebted to the Shapira family for the opportunity to build on the Heaven Hill legacy of distilling.
“It has always been a dream of mine to be a master distiller and a part of our industry’s rich heritage, and now I have the honour and privilege of returning to Maker’s Mark as an ambassador and established leader for the organisation.”
Davis will be taking on a new role as director of distillation at Jim Beam’s Kentucky plants in Clermont and Boston. He will be focusing on Jim Beam Bourbon and the brand’s Small Batch Bourbon Collection.
During his time in the role, Davis has overseen the growth and expansion of the Jim Beam distillery, including the development, installation and operation of the third still in 2015.
Victoria MacRae-Samuels, vice president of operations and plant manager at Maker’s Mark, will be relocating to the global innovation centre in Clermont to take on the new role of senior director, global quality for Beam Suntory.
Distillery maturation specialist Jane Bowie has been promoted to director of the Private Select and Diplomat programmes. Her new position will see her champion the Maker’s Mark Private Select Experience programme, as well as oversee the expansion of the Diplomat programme.
Rob Samuels, global general manager and chief distillery officer of Maker’s Mark, said: “Victoria and Greg will be truly missed, and I am sincerely grateful for their outstanding and consequential contribution.
“Victoria and Greg are both moving on to very important and meaningful positions that are ideally suited to their exceptional skills and expertise, and I wish them great success in their new roles.
“I am thrilled to welcome Denny back to the Maker’s Mark Distillery. He will be instrumental in maintaining and preserving the way we handcraft our Bourbon, the quality of our whisky and our ongoing commitment to best practices and conservation at the distillery.”
The new positions will be effective from 1 October 2018.