Big news today for long-time friend and multi-appearance guest of the podcast, Seth Benhaim. Seth is the Founder of Infuse Spirits Group, parent company of Broken Barrel Whiskey Company. Infuse announced today that Simon Burch will join the company as a major shareholder, CEO, and member of the Executive Board of Directors. Simon is a veteran in the spirits and beverage alcohol business, most recently with Green River Distilling prior to its sale to Bardstown Bourbon Company in 2022. Since very early in the podcast, we’ve watched Broken Barrel grow into a very well-respected (and deservedly so) producer of American Whiskies. If you are unfamiliar with Broken Barrel Whiskey Company, or Seth Benhaim, you can catch up on our past coverage of the brand linked below. A full press release is provided “below the fold”.
Bourbon Lens Coverage of Broken Barrel Whiskey
- https://bourbonlens.com/137-broken-barrel-whiskey/
- https://bourbonlens.com/off-hours-bourbon-lens-12-seth-benhaim-broken-barrel-whiskey/
- https://bourbonlens.com/broken-barrel-whiskey-luciferous-american-single-malt/
- https://bourbonlens.com/49-broken-barrel-whiskey/
Full Press Release Infuse Spirits Appoints CEO Simon Burch
Infuse Spirits Group, a portfolio of award-winning spirits brands, today appointed Simon Burch as its new Chief Executive Officer. In this role, Burch will oversee day-to-day operation for Infuse Spirits Group, parent company of Broken Barrel Whiskey Company, as well as develop commercial strategies, achieve revenue goals, and manage the organizational structure.
An industry veteran with 20 years of experience in distilled spirits, Burch most recently served as CEO of Green River Distilling in Charleston, South Carolina, where he led a dramatic expansion agenda for the organization, culminating in a sale to Bardstown Bourbon Company last year. He also held multiple executive leadership positions at Pernod Ricard, Diageo, and Moët Hennessy. While at Diageo, Simon led the USA Tequila, Rum, and Vodka brand portfolios before transitioning to Global Head of Smirnoff Vodka, the world’s largest Spirits brand. Subsequently, he joined Moet Hennessy as CMO of Belvedere Vodka.
As part of the agreement, Burch will become a major shareholder in the company and join the current Executive Board of Directors, alongside former Founder & CEO Seth Benhaim, who will assume the new title of Founder & Chief Creative Officer.
What began as a typical customer-supplier relationship has grown into a natural partnership between Seth and I. This new role allows him to be laser-focused on what he does best – enhancing and transforming spirits through his own innovative ideas and process. His concepts are perhaps the most exciting I’ve come across in my career. The company’s brands are in great shape with Broken Barrel recently being awarded ‘World’s Best Tasting Finished Kentucky Bourbon,’ and I look forward to accelerating the growth of these award winning, world-class brands.
Infuse Spirits CEO Simon Burch
Simon earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Durham University. A UK citizen with USA permanent residence, he currently lives in New York State.
Commentary from the Founder, Seth Benhaim
I couldn’t be more thrilled to have Simon join our team. He is a proven leader with a successful track record of building and selling iconic spirits brands. With an incredibly unique proposition and a fierce passion for these brands, this was the perfect time and a necessary transition to take us to the next level.
Seth Benhaim, Founder & new Chief Creative Officer
About Infuse Spirits
Seth Benhaim started Infuse Spirits Group in his grandmother’s garage in 2012. The brand, which was named “Best Flavored Vodka” at the 2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, is the world’s only single-bottle infusion, made with real fruit in the bottle, and no added sugar, color, or artificial flavoring. To date, the brand has earned more than 75 industry awards and is currently sold in 35 U.S. states.
About Broken Barrel Whiskey Co.
Founded in 2017, Broken Barrel Whiskey is a portfolio of premium whiskeys sourced from Green River Distilling in Owensboro, Kentucky. The core expressions feature exclusively Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Rye Whiskey, which are further aged and finished using various types and combinations of barrel staves. For more information, please visit www.brokenbarrelwhiskey.com.
