Kentucky Owl appoints first female master blender
Former Diageo blender Maureen Robinson has joined bourbon brand Kentucky Owl as its new master blender.
Having retired from the Scotch whisky industry in 2022 after 45 years of service, Robinson is taking over from John Rhea to look after the Stoli Group’s Bourbon and rye whiskey brand.
As well as being Kentucky Owl’s first woman in the role, Robinson will bring a Scottish approach to blending, having worked on prominent brands such as Johnnie Walker, The Singleton, Buchanan’s and Old Parr.
Speaking of her new role, Robinson said: "I'm really looking forward to my new career venture into the Bourbon industry and, as the first female master blender at Kentucky Owl, I look forward to being a role model for aspiring women who have a passion for whiskey making.
"I'm honoured to have this opportunity to work with the Stoli Group and bring my expertise from my career in Scotland to Kentucky Owl, a brand that I hold in high regard.
"I'm excited to be now working with first-fill Bourbon barrels, understanding how flavour is influenced using new American oak barrels and the processes you can use to differentiate these flavours to create new whiskeys."
With a number of accolades to her name, Robinson has played an instrumental role in the ongoing education and progression of the Scotch whisky industry.
Stoli Group Global CEO Chris Caldwell said of Robinson’s appointment: "With Maureen's impressive knowledge and vast blending experience on some of the world's biggest Scotch whisky brands, we are incredibly fortunate to have someone of her calibre to follow on from John Rhea and we are all looking forward to her future contributions to Kentucky Owl with her new role as master blender.”
Among its portfolio, the Luxembourg-headquartered Stoli Group also produces The Wiseman Bourbon and rye, Stoli vodka and Cenote Tequila.
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