The News
Sazerac, a global spirits company, has formally named its Tennessee operation as AJ Bond Distillery. The name honors Allisa Henley and the late John Lunn, who helped bring the Tennessee whiskey project to life. The distillery is located in La Vergne, Tennessee, and will debut its first Tennessee Whiskey in Summer 2026.
Sazerac’s announcement that its Tennessee operation will debut a straight Tennessee whiskey in summer 2026 signals the brand’s first formal entry into the state‑whiskey market.
Projected Tennessee‑whiskey sales are expected to reach roughly $1.63 billion in 2026, up from $1.4 billion in 2023 and driven by a 5.2 % compound annual growth rate forecast through 2030. Launching in 2026 fits neatly into this growth path, but Sazerac will still face Jack Daniel’s dominance—over 70 % of the market in 2024.
The La Vergne‑based distillery began filling barrels in July 2017—a nine‑year maturation period that aligns with craft‑whiskey norms and gives the debut release a depth without an age statement. The mashbill, developed by Allisa Henley and John Lunn, honors Tennessee’s Lincoln County Process: charcoal filtering through sugar‑maple wood is required for any whiskey labeled as “Tennessee whiskey.”
Retailers and on‑premise venues can expect a launch without an age label but with 8‑ and 9‑year expressions that fit a premium, mid‑tier offering. Sazerac must lean into its distinct distillery story; those who embed the narrative in menus and displays should drive higher sales more effectively than price cuts.
AJ Bond isn’t just another whiskey on the shelves—it’s Sazerac’s deliberate push into a growing but fiercely loyal market. The 2026 forecast of $1.63 billion highlights the upside, while the nine‑year maturation period and La Vergne base give operators concrete angles—programming, merchandising, storytelling—to showcase a genuine craft legacy fully compliant with Tennessee’s rules.
Original Press Release
Sazerac, the global spirits company behind award-winning distilleries including Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky; Hawk’s Rock Distillery in Ireland; and Paul John Distillery in India, is proud to announce the official name of its Tennessee operation as AJ Bond Distillery, marking a major milestone as the company prepares to debut its first Tennessee Whiskey in Summer 2026.
The name honors the bond between industry visionaries Allisa Henley and the late John Lunn, whose shared 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 skilled 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, where their legacy continues through ongoing production and aging.
“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.”
Henley and Lunn began working together in 2004, developing a strong partnership rooted in technical expertise. The duo 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 crafting true Tennessee Whiskey. 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 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.”
Since the acquisition, AJ Bond Distillery has relocated its operations to La Vergne, Tennessee, expanding production capacity and investing in additional equipment and team members to support the operation’s long-term growth. Today, 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.
“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,” said Henley. “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.”
The upcoming debut of AJ Bond Distillery’s flagship Tennessee whiskey brand (details to come soon) will mark Sazerac’s formal entry into the category and underscore the company’s commitment to producing award-winning whiskeys worldwide through a thoughtful balance of honoring tradition and embracing innovation. In the years ahead, AJ Bond plans to introduce additional expressions and limited experimental releases designed to explore new possibilities in Tennessee whiskey while remaining grounded in the traditional methods championed by Henley and Lunn. Together, these future offerings will build on the foundation established by the inaugural brand and further strengthen Sazerac’s long-term presence in the category.
More details about AJ Bond Distillery’s inaugural Tennessee Whiskey will be shared in the months ahead as the brand prepares for its Summer 2026 debut.
Sources consulted (web research):
- Whiskyadvocate site
- Shankennewsdaily site
- Bartenderspiritsawards site
- Thespiritsbusiness site
- Bevnet site
- Whiskycast site
- Thespiritsbusiness site
- Vinepair site
- Wikipedia site
- Sazerac site
Source: BevNET