Kent Merritt

Kent Merritt is a name synonymous with small-batch spirits and Appalachian pride. He is a co‑founder as well as the behind‑the‑scenes operator of Old Tennessee Distilling Company (OTD), which is nestled along a busy interstate near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  At OTD, Kent has forged a distillery experience that blends family traditions, mountain lore, and exceptional craftsmanship. 

Growing up in nearby Gatlinburg, Kent started “sampling” some of the locally produced moonshines at about 15 years of age. At OTD, he has combined the expansive palate of his youth with his mature drive to develop and promote a business that provides outstanding products and a great customer experience. Kent’s passion for presentation results in a happy adventure for Old Tennessee patrons. He has created this atmosphere by attracting a team of people who are excited to create great products and have a good time, and has merged their passion with his more than 35 years of experience in business management. The combination of hometown roots, business sense, and customer service has helped him become a respected figure in the Tennessee distilling community.

In 2013, Kent teamed with friend Sid Blalock to realize a shared dream: founding a distillery that produced premium Tennessee bourbon using local ingredients: heirloom corn, rye, barley, and mountain spring water. Their venture began in 2014 under the name Thunder Road Distillery,  later rebranding to Old Tennessee Distilling Company in 2019 to honor not only their vision, but also the region’s broader people and history.

They poured their first bourbon barrel in August 2016. Tragically, Sid Blalock passed away before the spirit reached maturity, leaving Kent to carry the dream forward. Partnering with Sid’s wife, Jo, the project was completed in November 2021, and ‘Sid’s Select Premium Tennessee Butcher’s Bourbon’ was launched. The limited-edition release was aged five years and handcrafted with precision-selected barrels. Tasting notes were said to include vanilla, sage, honey, and cinnamon, reflecting both regional terroir and many years of careful planning. "I believe Sid would be proud of the bourbon that we produced," said Merritt of the creation. "I know I am."

OTD states that it feels that it is important to "celebrate the culture, people, history, and spirits of the great state of Tennessee” in their products. As such, its Dumplin Creek brand of moonshine honors the last treaty of the Great Cherokee Nation. Also, their Caldonia Fackler Johnson rum brand celebrates the life of a former slave who became a prominent Knoxville racetrack and saloon owner. Additionally, Kent ensures that each whiskey, moonshine, gin, vodka, or bourbon honors the name “Tennessee” on every label.

At the distillery, Kent oversees operations, and his two Master Distillers, Dwight Bearden and Adam Gratz, share his vision for quality, authenticity, and storytelling through spirits. The Distillers are also committed to farm‑to‑bottle production, using only locally grown heirloom grains and traditional mash techniques, followed by fermentation and distillation steps which Kent himself developed.