When Britt Kulsveen graduated from high school, she vowed never to return to her small Kentucky hometown, 225 writes. Unlike most of her classmates, she set her sights on an out-of-state college experience in the Deep South, which led her to Baton Rouge to study political science at LSU.
She remained in Louisiana until 2005, when she was blown back to Bardstown, Kentucky, by Hurricane Katrina. Spending more time at home meant spending more time around her family’s business, Willett Distillery.
Some of Kulsveen’s earliest childhood memories revolved around Willett, the now 90-year-old spirits business that has been a constant in her family. Sights and smells—and even tastes—of the operation were ingrained into her memory.
Though she was immersed in Willett Distillery from an early age, she says it never occurred to her to get involved with the brand. If anything, she thought of getting in on the distribution side of things, but once she was back in Bardstown, plans shifted.
Now, Kulsveen serves as the brand’s president and CWO—that’s chief whiskey officer. In these roles, she’s able to cultivate the culture and human development side of the business, while her brother Drew works as master distiller.
