Jackie Zykan leaves Hidden Barn Bourbon
Master blender Jackie Zykan will depart Hidden Barn Bourbon three years after co-creating the American whiskey brand.
Zykan previously spent seven years at Brown-Forman-owned Old Forester in the role of master taster.
She left her role at Old Forester Bourbon in July 2022 to start Hidden Barn, which she co-founded alongside Royce Neeley (owner and master distiller of Neeley Farm Distillery) and Nate Winegar (founder of 5280 Whiskey Society).
Zykan is departing the Kentucky Bourbon brand to start a new agriculture venture and to focus on Oduoak, the whiskey-based fragrance line she launched in 2020.
Hidden Barn will continue to be produced at Neeley Family Distillery in Kentucky.
Zykan will stay involved with the distillery by supplying some of the herbs used in its absinthe.
“I am honoured to lean into my background of biology and chemistry to shed light on the importance of intentional and sustainable botanical sourcing,” said Zykan.
“Diversifying my engagement with the natural world by growing aromatic flowers and herbs for both fragrance and spirits is an inherent next step in my journey. Being able to supply the herbs for Neeley’s absinthe to deepen its roots as a Kentucky-made product is something I’m really excited about.”
In 2024, Rory Neeley purchased Hidden Barn from the partners, with Zykan remaining as master blender and Winegar as brand ambassador.
“We have been thrilled to work with Jackie over the years and we look forward to continuing to work with her in a different capacity as she supplies some of our herbs for our Neeley’s Wormwood Absinthe Verte,” added Neeley.
“We learned a lot from Jackie and have the utmost respect for her palate and blending abilities, and plan to continue to make Hidden Barn just as we have before.
“Our entire family thinks the world of Jackie, and the door is always open to future Hidden Barn collaborations. We’re excited about being able to work with her in this new capacity.”
Neeley’s Wormwood Absinthe Verte is made using a family moonshine recipe and crafted with Appalachian yeast.
This yeast is also used to create all Neeley Family Distillery distillates, including Hidden Barn Bourbon.
There are no plans to change Hidden Barn Bourbon following Zykan’s departure, the company confirmed.
Hidden Barn Bourbon is set to enter its 20th US state. The whiskeys can be purchased online or from the distillery in Sparta, Kentucky.
In addition to the Hidden Barn range, the distillery also produces Kentucky straight Bourbon, a bottled-in-bond four-grain whiskey and a straight rye whiskey.
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