The appointment comes as Hidden Barn seeks outside expertise to maintain consistency while scaling production. Wellmann will work alongside the Neeley Family Distillery team on batching and single barrel selections, continuing the work of Master Blender Emeritus Jackie Zykan.
Hidden Barn Expands Team with Industry Veteran
“The addition of Molly provides a valuable outside tasting perspective, as well as on-premise consumption knowledge, and cocktail crafting expertise from one of the most respected mixologists in the industry,” said Royce Neeley, president and master distiller at Neeley Family Distillery. The Kentucky-based distillery produces Hidden Barn using traditional pot still methods and a generations-old family mash recipe.
Wellmann brings decades of bar ownership and consulting experience to the position. The self-taught mixologist previously owned six Cincinnati-area establishments, including Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar and Japp’s. She currently runs Molly Wellmann Consulting & Entertainment, advising bar programs throughout the region.
Her expertise extends beyond mixing drinks. Wellmann has served as a spirit judge for the American Distilling Institute and The New Orleans Spirit Competition. She regularly speaks at Moonshine University in Louisville and holds Executive Bourbon Steward certification from Stave and Thief.
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Molly Wellmann Brings Historical Knowledge to Bourbon Production
The partnership emerged from shared interests in traditional distilling methods. “One of the things that drew me to working with the Neeley team is Royce’s ‘old school’ distillation techniques, using pot still distillation with his family’s mash recipe they’ve used for generations,” Wellmann said. ” It seems like the perfect pairing for us to share our love of historic distillation to help Hidden Barn Bourbon expand even further.”
Both Wellmann and Neeley have studied historic whiskey production extensively. Wellmann has applied this research to develop period-appropriate cocktail menus throughout her career. She authored Handcrafted Cocktails and is now working on a second book.
Wellmann will make appearances at the Neeley Family Distillery in Northern Kentucky, signing bottles and meeting customers. She will also travel to markets as Hidden Barn expands distribution.
The appointment represents a shift for Wellmann from serving bourbon to helping produce it. Her role demonstrates how expertise from the bar industry increasingly influences whiskey production as craft distilleries seek competitive advantages in crowded markets.
About Hidden Barn
Hidden Barn takes its name from local communities that painted barns black during Prohibition to support distillers. The brand has earned recognition, including Best of Class for Small Batch Bourbon from The Tasting Alliance and Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2023 and 2024.
