Brendan Cook hails from the west coast of Canada. His dream and passion led him half way around the world to Scotland to pursue distilling. After years of producing craft spirits in Scotland, he moved to Brown-Forman where he was Assistant Master Blender. He oversaw brands that were awarded critically, such as whiskey of the year for Glendronach 15 in 2020. After a successful career, he moved back to Canada as a consultant. He will finally get an opportunity to work in bourbon in Kirby, WY for Wyoming Whiskey. Notably, Brendan is taking the place renowned blender Nancy Fraley.
Full Press Release below has been summarized and edited by Bourbon Lens and AI
KIRBY, Wyo. – September 24, 2024: Wyoming Whiskey, the state’s first legal distillery, proudly announces Brendan Cook as its new master blender. Cook brings a wealth of expertise. He has honed this expertise through years of experience with Scotch and Canadian whisky. He offers a refined palate and has a passion for crafting exceptional spirits.
Cook succeeds renowned blender Nancy Fraley and has been deeply involved with Wyoming Whiskey since joining in late 2023. Living in Kirby, Wyoming, Cook has implemented a year-round sampling process and conducts daily cask monitoring. This hands-on approach allows him to understand how Wyoming’s extreme temperature fluctuations influence the maturation process and final product.
“Living in Kirby gives me the unique opportunity to monitor our casks day by day,” says Cook. “This proximity ensures I can fine-tune our blends and move casks at the optimal time, maintaining consistency and enhancing the flavor.”
Cook’s extensive experience with different cask types allows him to amplify and balance flavors. His first official release, Independence Rock, Wyoming Whiskey’s annual Wyoming-exclusive bourbon, launched in July 2024. This release represents the start of a new chapter, showcasing Cook’s vision to reflect Wyoming’s unique terroir in each expression.
Under Cook’s leadership, Wyoming Whiskey is set to continue its tradition of crafting exceptional spirits. These spirits capture the rugged beauty of Wyoming’s landscape.
About Wyoming Whiskey
Founded in Kirby, Wyoming, Wyoming Whiskey has aimed to create America’s next great bourbon while expanding into other whiskey varieties. Using locally sourced ingredients like corn, winter wheat, and rye, every bottle is a true expression of Wyoming’s natural resources. The water is from the Bighorn Basin.
For more information, visit wyomingwhiskey.com.
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