Milam & Greene Whiskey master distiller, Marlene Holmes, made history at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on February 13 in Louisville, Kentucky. She is one of the first American women, the only female distiller in the U.S., and the only Texan to be inducted into Whisky Magazine’s Hall of Fame. This huge award recognizes Marlene’s exceptional contributions to the whiskey industry beginning in 1990 working with Booker Noe at Jim Beam in Kentucky until today leading Milam & Greene Whiskey to national recognition and critical acclaim. After nearly three decades at Beam, she pursued a new challenge in the industry. In 2018, she started a whole new chapter by bringing her expertise to the Milam & Greene in Blanco, Texas. Upon her arrival, she immediately became the most experienced whiskey maker in Texas. This Hall of Fame recognition comes right after she was named “Master Distiller of the Year” at the Women of Whiskey Awards last fall. Marlene’s influence reaches far beyond distilling. She’s inspiring the next generation of whiskey makers while drawing in new consumers with her fearless spirit, ensuring that her legacy will endure for years to come.