Hidden Barn Whiskey was founded in 2022 by Master Taster Jackie Zykan in partnership with Royce Neeley of Neeley Family Distillery, and Nate Winegar. In 2024, Neeley purchased Hidden Barn from the partners, with Zykan remaining as Master Blender and Winegar as Brand Ambassador. Last month we reported that Zykan was moving on and the brand would continue under Neeley’s leadership. Today, it was announced that the Master Taster torch is being passed on to Award-winning mixologist, author and onetime multi-bar owner Molly Wellmann.
Wellmann is well known in the spirits industry and was named “Best Bartender/Owner in the Nation” by a leading on-premise spirits media outlet. In her new role as Master Taster, Wellmann will be helping with the batching and single barrel selections of Hidden Barn Whiskey, as she builds on the tasting profile and batching style developed by Master Blender Emeritus Jackie Zykan.
“Jackie got us into a great place with the creation of a style and profile that myself, Bekah Neeley and the Team at Neeley Family Distillery will continue to replicate and build upon,” said Royce Neeley, President and Master Distiller, Neeley Family Distillery.
“The addition of Molly provides a valuable outside tasting perspective, as well as on-premise consumption knowledge, and cocktail crafting expertise from one of the most respected mixologists in the industry. As Hidden Barn moves into its 20th state for distribution, Molly’s knowledge in these areas will be invaluable to help us build brand sales.”
Neeley notes visitors can expect to see Wellmann interacting at the Neeley Family Distillery in Northern Kentucky, signing bottles, tasting with fans, and maybe even jumping behind the bar. She’ll also be visiting some markets with the Neeley team as they expand, sharing her expertise and bourbon history storytelling.
“I’m excited to join the team at Hidden Barn, having known Royce and Bekah Neeley and Jackie Zykan for years,” said Hidden Barn Whiskey Master Taster Molly Wellmann. “One of the things that drew me to working with the Neeley team is Royce’s ‘old school’ distillation techniques, using pot still distillation with his family’s mash recipe they’ve used for generations. Like Royce, I’ve immersed myself in the history of old whiskey, as I’ve used that knowledge in crafting cocktails and curating historically accurate cocktail menus. It seems like the perfect pairing for us to share our love of historic distillation to help Hidden Barn Bourbon expand even further.”
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Molly Wellmann is Well Known in the Spirits Industry
Molly is a self-taught mixologist based in Cincinnati who has immersed herself in the rich world of classic cocktails and fine spirits, particularly American whiskey. Her passion for mixology is rooted in extensive research into the history and proper preparation of cocktails.
Throughout her career, Molly has had the honor of working at numerous popular restaurants and bars across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. She is the former owner of several establishments, including Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar, Myrtles Punch House, The Annex, Neons, Melt, and Japp’s. Currently, she operates Molly Wellmann Consulting & Entertainment, where she consults on various bar programs in the Cincinnati area and offers specialty bartending for major events, cocktail classes, cocktail creation, and bourbon tastings.
Molly’s expertise has been featured in several publications, including Midwest Living, Cincinnati Magazine, the Cincinnati Enquirer, People Magazine, Cincinnati Business Courier, and CityBeat, as well as in various well-read blogs. She has made guest appearances on numerous podcasts and has served as a mixology contributor for Bourbon+ Magazine. Additionally, she is a regular speaker at Moonshine University in Louisville and has been a spirit judge for the American Distilling Institute, The Ascot Awards, and The New Orleans Spirit Competition. Molly is also an Executive Bourbon Steward through Stave and Thief.
Her talent has been recognized by her peers, as she has been voted Best Mixologist/Bartender by CityBeat magazine from 2010 to 2018 and again in 2020 through 2022. In 2019, she was recognized as the Best Bartender/Owner in the Nation by Nightclub and Bar Media.
She is also the author of “Handcrafted Cocktails” and is currently working on her second book.
Hidden Barn Bourbon Whiskey is Just Getting Started
Hidden Barn’s name harkens back to the local communities who painted their barns black in solidarity with distillers during Prohibition. This sense of community continues today through the passion for quality whiskey and camaraderie shared by its three founders, Jackie Zykan, Royce Neeley and Nate Winegar, and continues with Molly Wellmann joining as Master Taster and Zykan moving to Master Blender Emeritus.
Hidden Barn Bourbon is owned by Neeley Family Distillery. The brand is available online and in select states.
Learn more about Neeley Family Distillery.
Learn more about Hidden Barn Whiskey.
Learn more about The B-Line – Northern Kentucky’s Bourbon Tour
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