Stoli Group hired David Mandell as president of Kentucky Owl Real Estate Co. He will be responsible for leading construction and development of the 400-plus-acre Kentucky Owl Distillery & Park in Bardstown, Ky.
Mandell joins Stoli Group after co-founding Bardstown Bourbon Co. where he created, launched and managed the company’s Napa Valley bourbon distillery destination experience in Bardstown. Mandell led the development and operation of what is now one of the largest and most sophisticated whiskey distilleries in the United States, producing custom rye, whiskey and bourbon for prominent brands including Kentucky Owl Wiseman Bourbon.
Mandell was also responsible for the development and launch of the company’s bourbon brands, full-service restaurant and bar, and visitors center. Mandell is currently chairman of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival Board of Directors and a shareholder of Bardstown Bourbon.
Stoli purchased Kentucky Owl in 2017. Founded by C.M. Dedman in 1879, the Kentucky Owl Bardstown distillery went dark during Prohibition and remained dormant until a descendent revived the brand in 2014. Since then, the company’s small batch releases have sold out quickly and received rave reviews.