Nancy Fraley Steps Down At Joseph Magnus

Noted Master Blender and consultant Nancy Fraley has retired from her post at Jos. A, Magnus & Co., the sourced bourbon brand named for the man who, in post-Civil War America, founded the once esteemed Murray Hill Club Whiskey brand in Cincinnati, Ohio. After graduating law school, Fraley intentionally bypassed a legal career to pursue spirits instead, eventually breaking in with a job at Germain-Robin.

She has gone on to become one of American Whiskey’s most illustrious consultants, and one of her earliest gigs in that sector was with Jos. A Magnus. Brought on as their Master Blender in 2014, her first project was to create a modern facsimile for Murray Hill Club. Two years later, she developed American Whiskey’s original cigar blend bottling.

Fraley has been planning her departure since September 2025, and is succeeded by her deputy and Head Blender Will Fabry.

Fraley is not retiring from consulting and blending altogether, however. Fraley stepped away from Wyoming Whiskey approximately two years ago, but is still listed as Master Blender at Still Austin and known to be working on other projects as well.