Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery Welcomes Brandon O’Daniel as Head Distiller

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, Nashville’s esteemed bourbon and whiskey brand home to Nelson Brothers Classic Bourbon, Nelson Brothers Reserve Bourbon, Nelson Brothers Rye and Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey, has named Brandon O’Daniel as the new head distiller. O’Daniel will lead the production efforts at the Marathon Village distillery while continuing his role as head distiller at Copper & Kings, an American brandy distillery out of Louisville, KY that released its first bourbon in 2023 to nationwide acclaim. Both distilleries are part of the Constellation Brands (CBI) portfolio. 

“We are excited to officially welcome Brandon to our Nashville team,” said James Hensley, general manager at Nelson’s Green Brier. “His innovative spirit and dedication to quality at Copper & Kings have long been inspiring to us, and we look forward to seeing the impact he will have on our brand.”

A Kentucky native with deep roots in the wine and spirits industry, O’Daniel brings a legacy of expertise to Nelson’s Green Brier. His family’s history in the trade dates back to his great-grandfather, who was a distiller in the 1920s, and his grandfather, who was involved in the wine business during the 1980s. O’Daniel’s journey in the industry began with vineyard management and consulting, educating farmers on Kentucky’s finest grape varietals following the state's shift from tobacco. His passion for the craft led him to become a winemaker and eventually brought him to Copper & Kings, where he thrives in a community that shares his commitment to small-batch, natural distillation.

O’Daniel said, “Nelson’s Green Brier is a storied distillery, with deep roots in the legacy of Tennessee whiskey, so it’s an honor to step into the role of head distiller. I look forward to continuing that legacy alongside an incredible team to produce bourbons known for novelty and innovation.”

In his expanded role overseeing both distilleries, O’Daniel will focus on production, quality, innovation, and operations, guiding the teams to produce exceptional spirits that continue to set industry standards.

Nelson’s Green Brier was originally founded by Charles Nelson in the 1800s as one of Tennessee’s largest pre-prohibition distilleries and was revitalized by his great-great-great grandsons over a century later. Since the distillery’s revival in 2014, the distillery has earned a reputation for its rich history, innovative cask finishes and approachable bourbons. 

To learn more about Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery and the family of brands, visit greenbrierdistillery.com.