The Sazerac Company announced that John Lunn, Master Distiller at its A&J Bond Distillery in Tennessee, has died. Lunn’s distilling career spans 20 years; he was just 53 years old when he passed away unexpectedly on March 30, 2023.
John earned his Bachelor’s Degree in chemical engineering from Vanderbilt University. He began his distilling career with Diageo and rose to Master Distiller at George Dickel Distillery before he left to join the Avery’s Trail Distillery.
Sazerac Company acquired Avery’s Trail in 2016, where Lunn and fellow distiller Alissa Henley would continue making their whiskies. He was Master Distiller and Plant Manager for A & J Bond Distillery in Tennessee.
John was a wonderful distiller, trusted leader, and patient teacher to his fellow Sazerac team mates. We will miss John’s friendship, knowledge, and most of all, his dry sense of humour. John always knew a subtle way to put a smile on our face while remaining a consummate professional. John imbued the qualities of integrity, trust, ethics and values. He will be dearly missed by the distilling community and his Sazerac family. John’s legacy will live on in the marvellous whiskeys that he and Allisa have created.
Sazerac Company Statement to The Spirits Business
According to Whisky Advocate, it was in 2017 that Sazerac modified its Tennessee distillery to enable the Lincoln County process. Lunn worked with distiller Allisa Henley—his colleague at Dickel and Avery’s Trail—to create a new Tennessee whiskey mashbill for Sazerac. The A&J Bond identity, signifying the long-running partnership between Allisa and John, was created. These whiskies have been maturing since 2017. Sazerac is preparing for the release of the first of these whiskeys, the oldest of which will be 6 years old in July 2023.
Our condolences go out to Lunn’s family, friends, and distillery family. Rest in Peace John Lunn.
Sorry for the loss is such a gifted man