Kentucky Distillers Mourn The Passing of Dr. Pearse Lyons

March 8, 2018

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today expressed deep sadness on the passing of Dr. Pearse Lyons of Alltech, one of the industry’s leading advocates, educators and innovators.

KDA President Eric Gregory said Alltech’s Town Branch Distillery was the association’s first-ever Craft member in 2011 and became the first and only Kentucky Bourbon Trail® distillery stop in Lexington the following year.

“Our distilling family has lost one of its most dynamic and dedicated leaders,” Gregory said. “Dr. Lyons was a true gentleman and visionary for our signature industry and our beloved Commonwealth. He will be deeply and dearly missed.”

Hailing from a family with five generations of coopers, Dr. Lyons dedicated his professional life to beverage alcohol and had an effusive reverence for the craft, honing his skills at distilleries in his native Ireland and realizing his dream to produce his own whiskey with Pearse Lyons Reserve and Town Branch Bourbon.

“On behalf of our legendary industry, we encourage whiskey lovers around the world to raise a glass of Town Branch Bourbon today and toast the enduring legacy and amazing spirit of Dr. Lyons,” said Rob Samuels of Maker’s Mark Distillery and Chairman of the KDA’s Board of Directors.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Deirdre, Aoife, Mark and the entire Alltech family.”

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For information about arrangements and donations in lieu of flowers, please visit Alltech.com/pearselyons.