Britt Kulsveen

Britt Kulsveen stands at the helm of one of Kentucky’s most storied bourbon families at Willett Distillery. A fifth-generation steward of the craft, the great‑granddaughter of A. Lambert Willett is now tasked with carrying forward the vision of her ancestors. In June 2018, Britt was promoted to President and Chief Whiskey Officer. It is perhaps no irony that the day of her appointment fortuitously coincided with both Flag Day and, perhaps more importantly to Britt, National Bourbon Day.

Born and raised in Bardstown, Kentucky, Britt—who is more formally known as Kristin Martha‑Britt Kulsveen—grew up immersed in the rhythms of distilling. She earned a degree in political science with a minor in “responsible consumption” from Louisiana State University, then refined her whiskey-making skills at L’allemond Ethanol Tech in Montreal, Quebec. Afterward, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Britt eschewed Baton Rouge, returning instead to Kentucky to join the family enterprise, quickly embracing her destiny with enthusiasm.
The historic Willett Distillery’s true roots trace back to the mid‑1800s and Master Distiller John David Willett, but its “modern” revival began in 1936, when A. L. (Thompson) Willett founded the estate. The distillery remained in the family until the 1970s energy crisis forced an odd but, thankfully, temporary, pivot to ethanol production. Then in 1984, Britt’s parents, Norwegian-born Even Kulsveen and his wife Martha, purchased the property and first renamed the firm Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD), before restoring the Willett name in 2012. Today, Britt’s brother, Drew Kulsveen, serves as Willett’s Master Distiller, while Drew’s wife, Janelle, manages the visitor experience. Britt herself oversees day-to-day operations, compliance, strategy, and some exciting expansion projects, including the addition of an on-site restaurant as well as a bed‑and‑breakfast enterprise.

Those who meet her will not fail to recall Britt’s trademark boots and her fiery spirit. At her leadership announcement, she quipped: “Now that I’m President, please grab a drink: My new toast now is to friends, lovers, and adventures and to always having passion, boots, and red hair!” While her passion and energy are obvious, Britt’s leadership is unquestionably grounded in gratitude, kindness, and hospitality—values which she attributes to the legacy of strong Willett women, in particular, her mother, Martha Harriett Willett Kulsveen, whom she succeeded, and who, sadly, passed away in May 2025.