The Whiskey Reviewer A World of Whiskey, Poured Every Weekday
By Richard Thomas
Legal moonshine company Popcorn Sutton Distilling announced today that they had hired Allisa Henley as their new Master Blender.
Henley had previously worked at George Dickel, the Tullahoma, Tennessee distillery owned by British drinks giant Diageo, for 11 years. She ended her tenure at Dickel as the lead Distiller, replacing former Master Distiller John Lunn when Lunn departed Dickel for Popcorn Sutton in March 2015.
It was speculated at the time that when Lunn left George Dickel, parent company Diageo’s treatment of the Tullahoma distillery at least played a role in his departure, although those details remain unconfirmed. What is known is that when Henley replaced Lunn, she did not assume the former’s job title of “Master Distiller,” remaining simply “Distiller” instead.
During her time at Dickel, Henley was involved in the launch of Dickel Barrel Select and their MGP-sourced rye whiskey, as well as the expanded visitor center, and the creation of the recent Dickel 17 Year Old was under her charge. Henley’s move to Popcorn Sutton comes at a time when the legal moonshine outfit has announced plans to expand their lineup.
Ugh, they better not ruin George Dickel! One of the best values in whiskey on the market. The whole “legal moonshine” thing comes off as a gimmick to me, but maybe I’ll have to give it a try.