Lisa Roper Wicker

Experienced Distillery & Blending consultant. 2024 -American Distilling Institute/Keynote Speaker/Baltimore Convention -Our Whisky Foundation Mentor -World Whiskies Judge/Bardstown, KY/Washington DC/London 2025 -Consulting Distiller/South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, California -American Craft Spirits judge/Denver -New Orleans Bourbon Festival/panel -Tales of the Cocktail/panel -Kentucky Bourbon Festival/panel -Beam Institute -Bourbon Women/co-presenter -Heirloom corn & grain

•Icons of Whiskey Master Distiller/Master Blender “Highly Commended” 2019 George Washington Distillery •Icons of Whiskey Master Distiller/Master Blender nominee 2020 Widow Jane Distilleries LLC •Whisky Magazine “World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon 2022 •American Whiskey Magazine “Best Small Bourbon non Kentucky” 2022 •Whiskies of the World 2019, Outstanding Gold, Best in Class..Widow Jane Five Barrel small batch..my first project with Widow Jane! •Robb Report Vaults 14 “Best 25 Whiskies of the Century so Far” •Decadence 10 year maple barrel finished well received & reviewed by Maxim, Forbes •Whiskey Advocate “94” for Vaults 15, 2021 release •”The Vaults” 14 year small batch released Fall 2019 I’ve been “onsite” with Widow Jane for over four years. For the past two years, we’ve had the largest heirloom corn crop for whiskey in the U.S. I oversee growing in three states, KY, NY, PA. I moved our flagship 10 yr single barrel to a five barrel small batch, blending across three states. Over 500 batches to date. Released a 14-15 year, “The Vaults” with much success. Released “Decadence” 10-13 year old blend finished in maple syrup barrels. Currently producing in NY and KY, working to repatriate all to NY with expansion in NY.

Bardstown, Kentucky's only craft distillery. Overseeing the reconstruction of three existing buildings, transforming them into a distillery, visitor's center and warehouse. Opening Spring 2017. Completed Ware boiler school, January 2017. In 2016, I worked with Mounf Vernon to increase yields of peach brandy through process changes. George Washington's rye whiskey recipe, yields were increased dramatically through protocol changes, preserving and respecting the historic methods. ACSA judge for 2017 awards.

Starlight Distillery...focus was on making excellent whiskey. I distilled with both a pot and column still on the 700 acre Huber family farm established in 1843. Starlight grows heirloom corn, sourcing grain from local industry friends . Resurrected "Rock & Rye." Distilled Bourbon, Rye whiskey, Rum, Malt Whiskey and Vodka. Mashing and distilling on a 500 gallon Vendome pot. Compliance and record keeping, product development. Filson Historical Society Bourbon Salon speaker, March 2015 & 2016. Represent Starlight at industry and on premise events. Guest Distiller at Mount Vernon, George Washington's Rye Whiskey and Brandy. Substantially increased yields and quality at Mount Vernon. Selected by Spirits Business as a "Top Female Distiller" on their international list, April, 2016.

2015 World Liqueur Competition, product I developed and was released in 2014, won "World's Best Liqueur." Limestone Branch provided the opportunity to exercise a broad skill set. Oversee Bourbon, moonshine mash and brandy base (wine) fermentations, trained crew for chores to maintain healthy fermentations and production tasks. Grain selection and management, mashing, distillation. Special projects included developing barreling procedure/adjuncts and blending Revenge and Precinct no. 6, unique brown spirits releases. MoonPie Moonshine...I worked with the MoonPie flavorist and then developed the product and production plan including logistics, equipment, simplifying the formula, made blending less labor intensive, increased profit. I oversaw production of Tim Smith's products for the "Moonshiners" Discovery channel program. Seguin Moreau, cognac oak trials. Represented the distillery at ACSA and ADI functions, Tales of the Cocktail, product releases, Kentucky Bourbon Trail events.

Moved to Kentucky to start a winery from dirt to market. I was hired to add a winery to an already established vineyard. Produced wine with 90+% Kentucky grown grapes, balance from Indiana and Michigan. Excellent relationships with growers. Worked in a retro fitted barn initially then helped design and oversee construction of the winery. Successful launch. Trained crew with no previous experience in alcohol production. Successful yeast trials.