Nelson’s Green Brier names new head distiller

Constellation Brands stays in-house with its choice of Brandon O’Daniel to oversee production at Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery in Nashville, Tennessee.

Brandon O’Daniel will be pulling double duty for Constellation Brands. While continuing to oversee production at Louisville brandy maker Copper & Kings, where he has worked since 2013, he will now do the same for Tennessee whiskey producer Nelson’s Green Brier.

O’Daniel estimates it’s about two hours and 45 minutes from his door to the Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, but welcomes the challenge of managing both brands even if it comes with its adjustments.

“I’m definitely busy, there’s no doubt about it,” he said. “And the wife raises some eyebrows every now and then about where I’m at. But no, it’s good. They’re relatively close.”

O’Daniel takes over the head distiller role from Andy Nelson, who revived his family’s Tennessee whiskey brand alongside his brother, Charlie Nelson, in 2012. US drinks firm Constellation Brands purchased a minority stake in Nelson’s Green Brier and Copper Kings in 2016, upping its investment in Nelson’s in May 2019, and purchasing Copper & Kings in September 2020.

“I’ve done a little bit of travelling and touring with the brothers,” O’Daniel said. “They’ve got one of the most fantastic stories in American whiskey. And I’m just really excited to help continue that story and that brand.”

In his expanded role, O’Daniel will focus on production, quality, innovation, and operations. He says his plan is to make sure that both distillery teams that are there day-to-day are the best they can be, while for Nelson’s specifically, he hopes to promote the consistency across the portfolio, which includes Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee whiskey, and Nelson’s Bro’s Classic, Reserve, and Rye.

“The product line is amazing. It’s a beautiful city that’s growing faster than most in the country. It’s an exciting time to be coming on as a new head distiller,” O’Daniel said.

A Kentucky native, O’Daniel’s time in the industry began with vineyard management and consulting. His passion for the craft led him to become a winemaker which eventually brought him to Copper & Kings.