Brush Creek Distillery Promotes Ethan Whitman to Head Distiller and Philip Mundt to Market Development Manager & Head Distiller Emeritus

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Leadership team growth continues the evolution of the award-winning Wyoming spirits program

Brush Creek Distillery, the award-winning small-batch craft distillery on a working cattle ranch in Wyoming’s Platte River Valley, has promoted two longtime distillers. Ethan Whitman steps up as Head Distiller, and Philip Mundt becomes Market Development Manager and Head Distiller Emeritus. The distillery is part of Brush Creek Ranch.

“These promotions reflect the accomplishments made at Brush Creek Distillery and the depth of experience each brings to the craft,” said Andrew Wason, Managing Director, Brush Creek Distillery “Over the past four-plus years, Ethan has become an integral part of our spirits program. His technical knowledge, understanding of maturation and blending, and ability to translate that knowledge into exceptional products make him the right person to lead our distilling program into its next chapter. Philip’s extensive production expertise, industry relationships and deep knowledge of the Brush Creek portfolio will support our continued growth across multiple markets and sales channels.”

Ethan Whitman: Head Distiller

Whitman takes overall technical leadership of spirits production, overseeing the full product lifecycle from raw-material preparation, cooking, fermentation and distillation through barrel filling, maturation, blending, finishing, proofing, bottling and final release.

His expanded responsibilities emphasize:

  • Barrel maturation and aging inventory management
  • Blending and cask finishing
  • New product development, including collaborations, limited releases and single-barrel offerings
  • Guest-facing experiences, including distillery tours, guided tastings, barrel selections, blending sessions, cask-finishing programs and Bottle Your Own

“Taking on the role of Head Distiller is an incredible honor,” said Whitman. “I’m proud of what our team has accomplished and I am excited about where we will take the program from here. We have an opportunity to continue developing distinctive spirits, build on our aging inventory, explore new approaches to blending and finishing, and create products that reflect both the character of Wyoming and the spirit of Brush Creek.”

Before joining Brush Creek, Whitman worked at Kentucky Artisan Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, as Lead Distiller and Packaging/Production Supervisor.

Philip Mundt: Market Development Manager & Head Distiller Emeritus

Mundt’s expanded role, including a strategic relocation to Colorado, is designed to strengthen distributor partnerships, sales and market development across Wyoming, Colorado, Texas and the distillery’s eCommerce channel.

He will take on increased responsibility for sales, market development, distributor engagement, key account development and brand representation. He will also support market planning, product education, inventory and portfolio priorities, new product introductions and promotional programming.

Mundt served as Brush Creek’s Head Distiller for the last five years. Before that, he was Head of Production at Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, Brewer at Mother Earth Brewing in N.C., and General Manager of The Bier Baron Tavern (formerly the Brickskeller) in Washington, D.C.

“Philip brings tremendous credibility to the marketplace because his understanding of our products extends far beyond traditional sales and brand representation,” said Andrew Wason, Managing Director, Brush Creek Distillery. “He understands the liquid, the production process and the story behind what we produce. His expanded role allows us to bring that expertise directly to our distributor partners, accounts, trade partners and consumers while providing a stronger level of market support.”

What’s Next

The promotions come as Brush Creek continues to expand its presence in American craft spirits, with an emphasis on craft distilling, blending and trailblazing. Under the new leadership, the distillery will keep investing in production capabilities, aged inventory, product innovation and technical expertise while focusing on quality, consistency, authenticity and integrity.

About Brush Creek Distillery

Brush Creek Distillery is a craft distillery set on a working cattle ranch within world-renowned Brush Creek Ranch. It crafts small-batch spirits including Brush Creek Straight Bourbon, Straight Rye, Vodka and Gin, plus limited cask-finished releases such as Brush Creek “Chimney Rock” and “Honig” Cabernet Sauvignon Cask-Finished Straight Bourbon Whiskeys and “Railroad Rye” Straight Rye Whiskey. It has earned Double Platinum, Platinum, Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze recognition from competitions including the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, ASCOT Awards, SIP Awards, American Craft Spirits Association, Ultimate Spirits Challenge, PR%F Magazine Awards and USA Spirits Ratings.

Learn more at brushcreekdistillery.com or follow Brush Creek Distillery on Facebook and Instagram.

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