MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Building off the recent hire of Master Distiller Brian Nation from Jameson Whiskey’s Irish Distillers, O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co., a new Minneapolis-based whiskey distillery, has announced three additional members of its management team. The startup has appointed Mike Duggan, former Phillips CEO and Diageo General Manager, as chief executive officer. In addition, Tom Herbst joins the team to consult on marketing efforts and Pip Hansen takes on the role of Head Bartender. The three hires, who boast deep spirits experience from some of the country’s most reputable brands, round out the team working to build this new distillery operation alongside Nation as well as cousins and co-founders Patrick and Michael O’Shaughnessy.
“We’re passionate about whiskey, the spirits industry and family—and we found incredible partners in Mike, Tom and Pip who share our values. These gentlemen are experts at what they do and an abundance of needed experience and skills that we think will help make us successful; but, more importantly, they’re good people with motivations and passions that are aligned with ours,” said Patrick O’Shaughnessy, chairman and co-founder of O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. “We clicked with Mike, Tom and Pip immediately, with each bringing our company a wildly impressive portfolio of proven success and individual accolades. We’re proud to add their personal passion and creativity to our family operation.”
Mike Duggan Brings Business Acumen, Deep Spirits Industry Connections as CEO
Duggan comes to O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co., backed by decades of success in the spirits industry. Most recently Duggan served as CEO of Phillips Distilling Company where he was responsible for leading one of America’s oldest and successful family-run spirits businesses. During his five years at Phillips Distilling, Duggan led his team through arguably one the most dynamic periods in the spirits industry. He led through industry breakthrough brands like Prairie Organic Spirits, Revel Stoke Flavored Whiskey and UV Flavored Vodka at the same time managing an industry leading co-packing and Private Label production operation. Prior to Phillips Distilling Company, Duggan spent more than 15 years in senior management roles with Diageo helping to build and grow world-class brands such as Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Bulleit, Captain Morgan, Ketel One and their Single Malt Scotches. Duggan has an MBA from the University of Minnesota Carlson School and a bachelor’s degree from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
Duggan will be responsible for leading the team at the O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. through oversight of the distillery operation and to facilitate the creation and launch of its whiskies nationally. Duggan is particularly excited about the opportunity to build a business and culture from the ground up.
“Though I’ve been in the spirits industry for decades, first with the multi-national, publicly traded, industry leader like Diageo and then to a mid-size, family-owned, industry innovator like Phillips Distilling Co., I have not had the opportunity of a starting a new company with new brands and a direct-to-consumer distillery consumer experience. I see this as an amazing opportunity during these historical times to not only make great whiskies, but to work with Michael, Patrick and the team to build a culture, a team and place that brings people together,” noted Duggan.
Tom Herbst Leverages Deep Experience in Consumer Marketing of World-Class Brands
Herbst joins O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. as a consultant with experience most recently as Chief Marketing Officer at The North Face, where he oversaw all marketing and consumer engagement efforts and was responsible for advancing the brand’s growth goals and strategies. During his time at The North Face, the brand saw massive global growth, and Herbst was named one of Forbes’ 50 Most Influential CMOs (2018). Prior to joining The North Face, Herbst was with Diageo, where he ran the rums business and served as the Global VP of Innovation and Design for the vodka portfolio, leading a team responsible for the development and launch of new products globally. There, he was named as an Adweek Brand Genius in 2012. Herbst has a BA from Kenyon College.
Herbst is tasked with building new brands under the O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. umbrella by tapping into his past experience to bring more energy and innovation to the already-hot category.
“I believe in the power of brands to create cultural currency, and that is especially true when creating new brands,” said Herbst. “To be a part of such a collaborative, family-centered team like O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co., makes the work very fulfilling. And to join forces with talent like Mike, Brian and Pip is inspiring. We’re going to build quite a legacy together.”
Pip Hanson Brings Comprehensive Skill Set and International Experience as O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co.'s Food and Beverage Director
Hanson joins O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. with an extensive resume. He is seen as one of the founding bartenders responsible for Minneapolis’ nationally recognized cocktail scene, making his mark as the Beverage Director of The Bachelor Farmer and creator of Marvel Bar, which received back-to-back recognition as a James Beard semi-finalist for Outstanding Cocktail Program. He also has international experience bartending in Tokyo, where he studied with Ginza's Uyeda Kazuo, and London, where he worked as Head Bartender at Artesian.
In addition to planning and operating the distillery's bar and restaurant, Hanson will lead community outreach, engaging bartenders and spirits professionals to inspire and develop new cocktail techniques and service standards.
"I'm beyond excited to be joining the team at O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co., and to put into practice the vision and ideas I've had since working in London. The distillery offers us a laboratory where we can fine-tune spirits and cocktails to create a one-of-a-kind guest experience. I'm looking forward to rejoining my colleagues in both the local and international cocktail community.”
O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. is building a distillery in Minneapolis, slated to open in mid-2021; the first spirits are anticipated for tasting in summer 2021. For future updates on the distillery and its products, follow O’Shaughnessy Distilling on Facebook (facebook.com/osdistillingco) Twitter (@osdistillingco) and Instagram (@osdistillingco).
About O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co.
The O’Shaughnessy family left their ancestral home of Ireland during the Potato Famine of 1847 in search of a better life. Almost two centuries later, two cousins—Patrick and Michael O’Shaughnessy—seek to honor their Irish-American heritage through the unveiling of O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. The O’Shaughnessys, as Irish-Americans, are inspired by the great, long-standing tradition of Irish whiskey and look to build on that tradition as they embark on their new craft spirits journey. With an eye on the past and a vision for the future, O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. will deliver unique and innovative whiskey offerings for people to enjoy. For more information about O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co., visit www.osdistilling.com.