Sazerac has announced the name of its Tennessee operation as AJ Bond Distillery.
The name honors the bond between Allisa Henley and the late John Lunn, whose passion and decades of experience helped bring Sazerac’s Tennessee whiskey ambitions to life. The company entered the category in 2016 with the acquisition of the Popcorn Sutton distillery facility, retaining the production team led by Henley and Lunn. Continued investment in equipment and capabilities followed, culminating in the relocation of the operation in 2019 to its current home in La Vergne. The distillery is producing and aging what will become Sazerac’s first Tennessee whiskey brand, crafted from a mashbill originally developed by Henley and Lunn.
Henley and Lunn began working together in 2004 and worked side-by-side for more than 12 years before joining Sazerac. Their expertise, combined with guidance and resources from Sazerac’s Buffalo Trace Distillery, helped establish the foundation of the operation. The AJ Bond name honors Henley and Lunn’s partnership, which was cut short in 2023 with Lunn’s passing.
“John and I worked together for 20 years, and he played a major role in shaping my understanding of the chemistry behind distillation,” said Allisa Henley. “We worked diligently to create every aspect of AJ Bond Distillery together. His absence is felt every day, but I know he would be proud of what we’ve created. It’s meaningful to know that the whiskey made here will carry his legacy forward.
“From the very beginning, John and I knew we wanted to make a true Tennessee Whiskey, and we’re incredibly proud of the mashbill we’ve developed,” she added. “Seeing it now aging in our warehouses has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Our team has worked tirelessly to bring our shared vision to life, and I’m excited for what is to come.”
This is a major milestone for the global spirits company behind Buffalo Trace Distillery, Hawk’s Rock Distillery and Paul John Distillery as it prepares to debut its first Tennessee Whiskey this summer. In the years ahead, AJ Bond plans to introduce additional expressions and limited experimental releases designed to explore new possibilities in Tennessee whiskey.
“Formally naming AJ Bond Distillery reinforces our commitment to Tennessee Whiskey and reflects Sazerac’s broader vision to invest in exceptional people, places and traditions that shape the future of American spirits,” said Jake Wenz, President and CEO of Sazerac. “Under Allisa and John’s leadership, this team has built a strong foundation rooted in expertise, passion and a deep respect for the craft. As we look ahead, we are proud to build on their legacy as we continue to balance heritage with innovation in pursuit of producing world-class spirits.”
AJ Bond Distillery’s inaugural Tennessee Whiskey will be shared in the months ahead as the brand prepares for its Summer 2026 debut.
