Topic: A Sip of Knowledge with Brent Elliott, Four Roses Master Distiller

Hosts: Liz Rhoades, Lew Bryson, & Martin Duffy

What You’ll Learn: Join a trio of drink industry veterans in weekly conversation on whiskey, spirits, distilling, marketing and the current state of the drink industry. This week, Brent Elliott, master distiller at Four Roses Distillery, joins the group.

About Brent Elliott:

A native of Owensboro, Kentucky, Brent Elliott began his career at Four Roses Distillery in September 2005 and became master distiller in September 2015.

As master distiller and director of quality, Brent ensures that each bottle of Four Roses is handcrafted with the same passion and quality that the brand has maintained since 1888. Not only has Brent made a promise to maintain the quality of Four Roses’ Bourbon products, but also to maintain a commitment to Four Roses’ consumers and friends, who have helped to build the brand into what it has become today. 

Brent’s experience with the brand includes everything from applying his chemistry degree in production, to formulating Four Roses’ 10 distinct Bourbon recipes and hand-selecting barrels for award-winning bottlings. Brent also frequently travels on behalf of the brand, sharing his deep industry and brand knowledge through tastings, seminars, training sessions and events.

Named Master Distiller/Blender of the Year at the 2020 Icons of Whisky America award ceremony, Brent Elliott is particularly proud of Small Batch Select, the distillery’s newest permanent product-line extension since 2006, and the biggest addition to the storied history of the 132-year-old brand since he became master distiller. 

The noted international media outlet Whisky Advocate rated Small Batch Select No. 3 in its Top Whiskies of 2019 list, and it was the highest ranked Bourbon on the list. The Bourbon was also awarded Category Silver for Kentucky Bourbon at the 2020 World Whiskies Awards. 

The 2018 Limited Edition Small Batch was named World’s Best Bourbon in the 2019 World Whiskies Awards. This bottling preceded the April 2019 launch of Small Batch Select. 

Brent resides in Frankfort Kentucky with his wife, Amy, and their two children. His hobbies include running, biking, fishing and spending time with his family.

About the Hosts: 

• Liz Rhoades, founder of Spirit Safe Consulting, former research scientist for DIAGEO, distilling consultant, spirits writer for The Whiskey Wash & presenter.

• Lew Bryson, former managing editor for Whisky Advocate Magazine for 20 years, whiskey author, beer/whiskey writer and presenter.

• Martin Duffy, former DIAGEO Master of Whisky for the Midwest, DIAGEO Reserve Brand Ambassador for The Republic of Ireland, North American Brand Representative for Glencairn Crystal.