Lofted Spirits Elevates Nick Smith to Master Distiller as Bardstown Bourbon Co. Fills 1 Millionth Barrel

Lofted Spirits has promoted Nick Smith to Master Distiller, putting him in charge of production at Bardstown Bourbon Company, Green River Whiskey and Lofted Custom Spirits. Bourbon Hall-of-Famer Steve Nally becomes Master Distiller Emeritus.

The announcement comes as Bardstown Bourbon Co. fills its one millionth barrel since distillation began in September 2016.

Who Is Nick Smith?

Smith, a Bardstown native and University of Kentucky graduate, began his career at Jim Beam, where he worked through multiple production roles. He joined Bardstown Bourbon Co. in 2016 and has spent the past decade working alongside Nally.

His contributions include:

Developing Bardstown’s signature High Wheat bourbon
Pioneering small-batch experiments
Driving distilling innovation for Lofted Custom Spirits clients, including expansion beyond American Whiskey into spirits such as rum

“Nick’s background, including his tutelage under Steve, makes him perfectly suited for his new role as Master Distiller. Nick played a crucial role in taking Lofted Spirits to the largest distiller of contract spirits in Kentucky,” said Mark Erwin, CEO of Lofted Spirits. “He brings equal parts operational precision and creative experimentation to this role, and we’re excited to see where Nick takes us as we continue to think differently about what’s possible in this space.”

Steve Nally’s New Role

Nally has more than 50 years in the distilled spirits industry. He rose to Master Distiller at Maker’s Mark, left to help launch Wyoming Whiskey, and later joined Bardstown Bourbon Company as employee number one.

As Master Distiller Emeritus, he will continue as an ambassador for Lofted Spirits and Kentucky Bourbon across the United States, along with his wife Donna, also a Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame member.

“Nick and I have worked closely together for the past decade, and I have no doubt he can take on this role and expand upon the work we did together while continuing our hallmarks of transparency, trust, and partnership,” stated Nally, Master Distiller Emeritus.

A Milestone Barrel

Together, Smith and Nally helped shape Bardstown Bourbon Co. into one of the most innovative and technically advanced distilleries in the U.S. Employees will celebrate the one-millionth-barrel milestone and Smith’s promotion at an internal event later this year.

About Lofted Spirits

Lofted Spirits builds on work begun by Peter Loftin in 2016. It is the number one producer of Kentucky contract whiskey and the 7th largest supplier of American Whiskey, and it is home to the fast-growing Bardstown Bourbon and Green River brands. The company joined the PPC family of companies in 2022. Learn more at LoftedSpirits.com.