The Art of Blending: Mark Carter's Bourbon Journey

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Mark Carter joins us to share his remarkable journey from builder
to whiskey maker and the philosophy behind Old Carter's
exceptional barrel-proof expressions.

• Building a hotel and restaurant led to wine making in Napa
Valley
• Partnered with Dixon Dedman to revive Kentucky Owl in
2011
• Founded Old Carter immediately after selling Kentucky Owl in
2017
• Never releases whiskey younger than 7 years old with most
current products 10+ years
• Meticulously tastes and grades each barrel before creating
small batch blends
• Uses multiple coopers for different flavor profiles
• The Carter Club is expanding with 400 additional lockers
• American Whiskey Batch 14 contains approximately 50% whiskey
aged 19-20 years
• Balance is key to creating high-proof whiskeys that don't drink
"hot"
• Describes Old Carter's signature profile as having "deep, rich
aromatics" with "a long finish"
• Double barreling techniques create unique flavors in their
expressions

Mark Carter's path to becoming one of Kentucky's most respected
whiskey makers began far from the bourbon trail. A builder by
trade who constructed a hotel, then managed its restaurant,
Carter's curiosity about wine led him to purchase a Napa Valley
winery in 2006. When seeking custom crush clients, he connected
with Kentucky innkeeper Dixon Dedman, and instead of making wine
together, suggested reviving Dedman's family whiskey heritage.
This collaboration birthed Kentucky Owl in 2011, which they later
sold to Stoli Group in 2017—the very same day Mark launched Old
Carter Whiskey.

What makes Old Carter stand out in today's crowded whiskey
landscape is Mark's unwavering commitment to quality. Nothing
younger than seven years reaches the bottle, with most current
releases featuring whiskey aged 10+ years. The blending process
reveals Carter's artistry—tasting through dozens of barrels,
grading each one, then carefully combining them to achieve
perfect harmony. As he describes it, "We don't like hot. We want
balanced. We love flavor." This philosophy explains how Old
Carter creates high-proof expressions (often above 130 proof)
that drink with remarkable smoothness.

The American Whiskey Batch 14 showcased during our conversation
exemplifies this approach, containing approximately 50% whiskey
aged 19-20 years. Despite its 134.3 proof, it delivers sweet
notes of marshmallow and crème brûlée with a warming—never
burning—finish. This meticulous attention extends to their barrel
program, where Mark works with multiple coopers to achieve
different flavor profiles, drawing parallels to his wine-making
background.

Old Carter continues to expand, with their Carter Club adding 400
new lockers and several small batch releases planned for
different distributors. Mark's passion for whiskey craftsmanship
shines through in every expression, creating products that
whiskey enthusiasts treasure. Experience what happens when
patience, expertise, and unwavering standards come together in a
glass—try Old Carter and taste the difference true dedication
makes.


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