Michter’s Distillery says there’s a new Dr. No in town. The former Dr. No, Master Distiller Willie Pratt is transitioning to a flexible schedule and will take on the role of Michter’s Master Distiller Emeritus. Michter’s new Master Distiller is now industry veteran Pamela Heilmann.
The new Dr. No may have a new title but her industry knowledge and expertise is not. She’s an 18 year veteran of the distilling industry. Heilman arrived at Micther’s about three years ago when Michter’s built its own distillery. Since she’s been there she’s been a part of the team that took the distillery from 500,000 proof gallons a year to the recent expansion to 1,000,000 proof gallons. Prior to her arrival at Michter’s she was the distillery manager at the world’s largest bourbon distillery at the time, the Booker Noe Distillery in Boston, Kentucky. Heilmann will be Michter’s Master Distiller and Vice President of Production.
Heilman says, “This fulfills my dream of becoming a Master Distiller. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working in this wonderful industry with some legendary whiskey people. I feel honored to have the opportunity to continue to uphold the incredibly high standards set by the Michter’s team. I am delighted to assume the ‘Dr. No’ position as the gatekeeper ensuring Michter’s quality.”
Michter’s Master Distiller Pamela Heilmann
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“For some time we have been preparing for this transition,” stated Michter’s President Joseph J. Magliocco. “At Michter’s, the quality of our whiskey is so, so important to us. I am excited that we have phenomenally talented people like Pam Heilmann, Andrea Wilson, and Dan McKee assuming greater leadership positions and carrying on the remarkable work done by Willie Pratt.”
Per our records, it appears that Pam Hellmann of @MichtersWhiskey is the first female Master Distiller in KDA’s ranks since Prohibition!
— KY Distillers’ Assoc (@KyDistillers) October 18, 2016
Michter’s also announced Vice President – General Manager Andrea Wilson will add the position of Master of Maturation to her duties. Wilson is well known in the industry circles with her tenure as the first woman to ever serve as Chair of the Kentucky Distillers Association. The company also announced Distillery Manager Dan McKee who worked closely with Heilmann at Booker Noe Distillery, will move up to the Distiller position formerly held by Heilmann.
An excited Andrea Wilson stated, “I am thrilled to have the responsibility of Michter’s Master of Maturation. So much of the great work that’s been done to achieve the quality of Michter’s bourbon and rye has been about all the critical steps that are taken with the distillate after it leaves the still.”
Master Distiller Emeritus Willie Pratt will be honored with the naming of the “Pratt Whiskey Lab” at Michter’s Distillery. Said Magliocco, “Willie is an American whiskey treasure. He knows so much about whiskey, and he has contributed greatly to building our Kentucky distillery and establishing Michter’s as the brand it is today.”
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