Sazerac to debut its first Tennessee whiskey
Nearly a decade after buying its first Tennessee site, Buffalo Trace owner Sazerac has revealed the name of the distillery, which is set to launch its first whiskey this summer.
The Tennessee site has been named AJ Bond Distillery, after distillers Allisa Henley and the late John Lunn who began working together in 2004.
“Formally naming AJ Bond Distillery reinforces our commitment to Tennessee whiskey and reflects Sazerac’s broader vision to invest in exceptional people, places and traditions that shape the future of American spirits,” said Jake Wenz, president and CEO of Sazerac.
“Under Allisa and John’s leadership, this team has built a strong foundation rooted in expertise, passion and a deep respect for the craft. As we look ahead, we are proud to build on their legacy as we continue to balance heritage with innovation in pursuit of producing world-class spirits.”
The new name has been a long time coming for Sazerac, which noted back in 2017 that it would rename the Tennessee site it originally acquired.
Sazerac purchased a Tennessee distillery, home to the Popcorn Sutton portfolio of whiskeys created by Henley and Lunn, in 2016. The move marked Sazerac’s entry into the Tennessee whiskey category but the group did not release any Tennessee liquid in the years that followed.
Lunn, who was master distiller of the original Popcorn Sutton distillery, and Henley, who was master blender, joined Sazerac following the deal. The pair have worked together for decades but this came to an end in 2023 when Lunn died.
Two years after the acquisition, Sazerac relocated its operations in the state from the site in East Tennessee to the city of La Vergne, where it built a new distillery, bottling plant, warehouses and a visitor centre.
“John and I worked together for 20 years, and he played a major role in shaping my understanding of the chemistry behind distillation,” said Henley, who was the former distiller of Diageo’s George Dickel distillery (Cascade Hollow Distilling Co) in Tennessee.
“We worked diligently to create every aspect of AJ Bond Distillery together. His absence is felt every day, but I know he would be proud of what we’ve created. It’s meaningful to know that the whiskey made here will carry his legacy forward.”
Since Sazerac’s acquisition of the Popcorn Sutton facility on 2016, the company has expanded production capacity and invested in additional equipment and team members to support the operation’s long-term growth.
‘True Tennessee whiskey’
AJ Bond Distillery is currently producing and ageing what will become Sazerac’s first Tennessee whiskey brand, made from a mashbill developed by Henley and Lunn. It will be produced using the Lincoln County Process, which filters the whiskey through charcoal chips before ageing in barrels.
“From the very beginning, John and I knew we wanted to make a true Tennessee whiskey, and we’re incredibly proud of the mashbill we’ve developed,” said Henley.
“Seeing it now ageing in our warehouses has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Our team has worked tirelessly to bring our shared vision to life, and I’m excited for what is to come.”
The flagship Tennessee whiskey brand from AJ Bond Distillery is set to launch this summer. The new brand will mark Sazerac’s formal entry into the category.
In the years ahead, AJ Bond plans to introduce additional expressions and limited experimental releases designed to explore new possibilities in Tennessee whiskey while maintaining the traditional methods championed by Henley and Lunn.
Details of the inaugural whiskey will be shared in the coming months.
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