Medium & Craft Distillery Founders
Great Plains States
(NOTE: FOUNDERS ARE LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
1
Brad Boswell
Independent Stave Company
Brad Boswell stands as a prominent figure in the world of cooperage— the specialized craft of making barrels, particularly for aging fine spirits and wine. As the leader of Independent Stave Company, he is instrumental in maintaining the company’s legacy while steering it into new realms of innovation and global influence.
2
T.W. Boswell
Independent Stave Company
The art of cooperage—the making of barrels—has shaped the world of wine, whiskey, and spirits for centuries. At the heart of this tradition stands the Independent Stave Company (ISC), a family-owned business that has revolutionized the craft while preserving its enduring values. Central to ISC’s remarkable story is T.W. Boswell, whose stewardship and vision have guided the company from its early days to international prominence.
3
Patrick Garcia
Untion Horse
Patrick Garcia always felt at home in the shifting seasons of Kansas. Garcia grew up in Kansas City alongside his older brothers Damian and Eric, and sister Mary, learning early that family ties often form the backbone of successful enterprise. So from their childhood, the Garcia siblings looked for the chance to build something together.
4
Gary Hinegardner,
Wood Hat Spirits
Gary Hinegardner, owner and founder of Wood Hat Spirits, frequently challenges visitors at his distillery with a compelling question: “Why do we make whiskey from the same corn that cows and pigs eat?” He then offers his own answer: “We should be making whiskey from corn meant for people – better yet create a corn just for whiskey.” This perspective embodies his forward-thinking approach and steadfast commitment to both agriculture and whiskey artistry.
5
Ben Holladay,
Holladay Distillery
Ben was able to purchase the land for the distillery in 1849 after discovering the limestone spring on the site. A native Kentuckian, he knew the water was perfect for producing bourbon. He went to work with his brother David to secure the necessary equipment and materials and was able to begin distilling whiskey at the Blue Springs Distillery in 1856. The first whiskey was sold for 35 cents per gallon the following year. Ben transferred ownership of the distillery to David in 1858.
6
Joel Kath
Proof Artisan Distillery
THIS FOUNDERS HISTORY WILL BE PUBLISHED SOON
7
Keith Kerkhoff
Templeton Distillery
Keith Kerkhoff grew up in rural western Iowa, surrounded by farms and hidden stills. His grandfather, Alphonse (“Al”) Kerkhoff, was among the bootleggers in Templeton who produced rye whiskey during Prohibition, utilizing rye grain and aging it in barrels to make their product smoother and more marketable.
8
Kevin McLaughlin,
Kelvin Cooperage
Growing up amidst the scent of wood and the rhythm of coopers at work, Kevin absorbed a deep respect for time-tested methods and meticulous precision. His father, Ed, had founded Kelvin Cooperage in Glasgow in 1963, just a few months before Kevin’s birth, after completing an intensive five-year apprenticeship along the banks of the River Kelvin
9
Kyle Merklein,
Holladay Distillery
Kyle Merklein’s passion for bourbon and distillation is rooted in both science and craftsmanship. As Master Distiller at Holladay Distillery in Weston, Missouri, he combines his technical expertise with a deep appreciation for the art of whiskey-making, ensuring that every bottle reflects the highest standards of quality and innovation.
10
Brian Nation,
Keeper's Heart
Brian Nation’s journey from Ireland’s renowned whiskey-making traditions to the establishment of a pioneering distillery in Minneapolis is a testament to his skill in crafting exceptional spirits. A chemical engineer by training, Brian’s deep understanding of the technical side of production, combined with his sensory expertise in taste and smell, has made him one of the most influential figures in the modern whiskey industry.
11
Jeff & Laurie Quint,
Cedar Ridge
Jeffrey (Jeff) Anthony Quint, alongside his wife Laurie, founded Cedar Ridge Distillery in 2005 in Swisher, Iowa, becoming the first licensed distillery in Iowa since Prohibition. Fueled by a passion for spirits and a deep-rooted connection to winemaking, Jeff envisioned creating not just a distillery, but a destination that would offer a unique experience for both locals and visitors traveling through the Midwest.
12
Michael Swanson,
Far North Spirits
THIS FOUNDERS HISTORY WILL BE PUBLISHED SOON
13
Zac Triemert
Zac favors a double-pot still system and new, charred American oak, maturing his whisky in ways that pull from corn liquor’s heat-driven transformations while retaining a single-malt’s grain focus. The result is a spirit that stood between traditions: Scotch’s earthy purity and bourbon’s oak-and-heat.