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Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the largest family owned and operated distilled spirits company in the country, has announced the appointment of 17-year industry veteran Denny Potter as co-Master Distiller. Potter currently serves as Distillery Plant Manager at Heaven Hill’s historic Bernheim facility, overseeing production of the world’s second largest inventory of aging Bourbon. He will continue to work with Master Distiller Craig Beam overseeing Heaven Hill’s world-renowned portfolio of American Whiskeys, which includes Evan Williams, the second largest selling Bourbon in the United States and the world.
Potter has spent 13 years in distillery operations, having served both as Plant Manager of Heaven Hill’s historic Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, and, previously, as Operations Manager at Beam Global’s Frankfort, KY facility. Prior to that, Potter served as General Manager of Cruzan Rum’s distillery in St. Croix, USVI, and as Director of Distillery and Environmental Operations at Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, KY.
“We are very pleased to have Denny continue his growth with the company and within the industry,” Heaven Hill President Max L. Shapira said. “His knowledge of Bourbon production and aging—and his ability to teach and relate these subjects to the trade and consumers—make him an ideal person to help carry forth Heaven Hill’s leadership position and reputation into the future. Denny is grounded in the traditions of our company and industry yet has a keen eye for innovation and emerging trends.”
A native of Louisville, Potter holds an undergraduate degree from Indiana University in Bloomington and an MBA from Indiana University-Southeast.
