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Redemption Whiskey hires master blender
American whiskey brand Redemption has appointed Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co’s Alan Kennedy as its new master blender.
Kennedy takes over the role from Dave Carpenter, who is currently the distillery manager for spirits producer Jeptha Creed, based in Shelbyville, Kentucky.
Charged with the task of ‘restoring rye whiskey to its pre-Prohibition prominence’ with an emphasis on innovation, Kennedy will lead all aspects of production at the distillery, located in Lexington, Kentucky.
In his new position, Kennedy will ensure the ‘highest quality and consistency’ of Redemption’s current portfolio, while bringing ‘new and innovative sensorial whiskeys’ to drinkers.
“After learning about the first-of-its-kind Redemption Sur Lee innovation [a technique inspired by the French sur lie winemaking process], it really changed my view on the possibilities about what rye whiskey could be,” said Kennedy.
“The brand’s vision to restore rye whiskey to its pre-Prohibition glory by creating rye-forward whiskeys that showcase this exemplary grain is one I’m proud to shepherd, and I could not be more thrilled to join the Redemption Whiskey team as master blender.
“I look forward to continuing to tell Redemption’s story through our established expressions and the new ones we’ll create together.”
Kennedy will oversee the brand’s portfolio, including its core whiskeys, specialty series, Single Barrel Select programme and barrel-proof bottlings, as well as new limited edition releases.
He brings nearly two decades of experience to the role, with an extensive career in the culinary, hospitality, and wine and spirits industries.
In 2019, he was appointed master blender for Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co’s Town Branch Whiskey, making him one of the youngest ‘up-and-coming’ master blenders on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail at the time.
It is said that Kennedy has created his own ‘unique’ whiskey making style, with a focus on distilling whiskeys that recall a memory or feeling and sharing them with the world.
Tom Steffanci, president of Redemption Whiskey owner Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, said: “We’re in constant, relentless pursuit of making the best American whiskey possible. Alan is exactly the right professional to help us achieve that goal as we dream up delicious and evocative rye-forward innovations.”
Last year, Redemption Whiskey was ordered to stop selling its range in its flask-shaped design after Diageo-owned Bulleit Bourbon was granted an injunction in a long-running trademark battle.