Melissa Rift

Master Taster, Old Forester Bourbon

Louisville, Kentucky

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Melissa Rift is a Louisville native who began her career as a tour guide in Kentucky, educating consumers about American whiskey. Today, she holds the prestigious title of master taster at Old Forester Distilling Co. and is one of the first queer women to have a top-tier leadership role in bourbon. As master taster, Rift collaborates with the research and development and the innovation and sensory teams, ultimately crafting each of the distillery’s final blends and special releases.