Sips & Sites & Bites

In a ceremony during the Bourbon Women SIPosium on Aug. 25th, the CEO and master blender of Milam & Greene Whiskey, Heather Greene, was recognized as the “Master Blender of the Year” at the first WOW (Women of Whiskey) Awards, in collaboration with the Bourbon Women Foundation.

The WOW Awards are a distinguished recognition, honoring exemplary female leaders who have left enduring imprints on the whiskey industry. Among the distinguished recipients, Ms. Greene has been bestowed with the esteemed title of Master Blender of the Year. This honor reflects her extraordinary ingenuity, creative prowess, exceptional sensory acumen, profound grasp of whiskey craftsmanship, and extensive insights into market dynamics.

It’s through her acumen in the realm of business that Milam & Greene Whiskey has emerged as one of the swiftest-growing premium spirits brands within the United States. This accomplishment unequivocally underscores her profound comprehension of the whiskey enthusiast’s psyche and her adeptness in positioning the brand within the competitive market landscape.

“Heather knows whiskey, and she knows business,” said Sharon Whieldon, the marketing director of Milam & Greene Whiskey and an industry veteran. “There aren’t a lot of people who can build such a successful company and serve as the whiskey architect at the same time. She’s an anomaly and inspiration.”

For quite some time now, Greene has truly been a trailblazer in the whiskey industry. She achieved the distinction of being the very first American woman to grace the Scotch Malt Whiskey Society Tasting Panel and also made history as the inaugural woman to pen a whiskey book that earned a spot on the prestigious New York Times shortlist.

Under her visionary guidance in the realm of whiskey, Milam & Greene Whiskey has ascended to remarkable heights, emerging as one of the most acclaimed and talked-about whiskies in the United States. This acclaim has translated into tangible success, with accolades such as “Best in Show” for their Port Finished Rye at the American Craft Spirits Awards and a string of Gold and Double Gold medals for their bourbons at various esteemed international competitions. Notably, their peers at the ASCOT awards bestowed the title of “Rising Spirits Company in America 2023” upon Milam & Greene Whiskey.

Under Greene’s astute leadership, Milam & Greene Whiskey boldly ventured into a pioneering approach, one that initially raised eyebrows among industry insiders. They were among the first distilleries to champion the blending of vintage Straight Bourbon casks with bourbon from significantly younger casks, a practice deemed by some as “wild.” The audacity of blending whiskey as young as 2 years with 13-year-old whiskey, not to mention fusing whiskies from different distilleries and various types of stills, was largely unheard of and even met with some disapproval when Milam & Greene introduced their Triple Cask Bourbon back in 2019.

“I love how old whiskeys mingle with young whiskeys,” Greene said. “Each brings such a unique personality to the table, and together they can create something sublime. Milam & Greene Triple Cask Bourbon, which blends three differently aged whiskeys from three states, was designed in early 2018 and released in 2019 and remains the whiskey closest to my heart. We add vintage whiskey to every batch of Triple Cask Bourbon, and that’s why it’s such a gorgeous sipper at any price.”

Milam & Greene Whiskey has earned a distinguished reputation for its exceptional distillation and blending expertise, showcased across a diverse range of products. Among these offerings, the highly coveted Blender’s Reserve Collection stands out, featuring gems like the Very Small Batch Bourbon, Unabridged Volumes Bourbon, and Castle Hill Vintage Series.

Back in 2019, Heather Greene and her dedicated team introduced their award-winning core range, which includes standouts like the Triple Cask Bourbon and the Port Cask Finished Rye. Since their debut, these meticulously crafted small-batch selections have propelled Milam & Greene into the ranks of the most successful independently-operated whiskey companies in the United States.

What sets Milam & Greene whiskeys apart is their commitment to finesse, refinement, nuance, and an almost otherworldly quality. They’ve truly mastered the art of crafting exceptional spirits.