Q&A with

An Influencer

As co-founder and chief flavor officer for Everwild Spirits, a craft distillery in Sandusky, GIA GENNARI-LYNCH is responsible for the flavor profiles of all the distillery’s products. She also ensures that Everwild’s customers have an “incredible experience” when they visit. That includes a focus on women, as the distillery holds monthly Whiskey Girls events.

Tell us about Everwild Spirits.

Everwild Spirits is a craft bourbon distillery, founded in 2020. We opened our tasting room and bottle shop in July 2022. We currently have released three bourbon products under our Seekers brand: Seekers Straight Bourbon (a four-grain bourbon); Seekers Wheated Bourbon; and Seekers Toasted Oak Cask Finished Bourbon. We offer a full menu of food, craft cocktails, and bourbon flights. What’s the atmosphere like inside?

We have a unique ambiance for the Sandusky area — a relaxing lounge, with soft surfaces and very comfortable seating. Customers describe us as modern, classy, and cozy. You also hold Whiskey Girls events. What are those?

Whiskey Girls is a tasting event, held from 7-9 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month. It’s geared toward two types of women: those who want to learn and develop a taste for bourbon and those who enjoy bourbon, scotch, or any type of whiskey.

Who is a Whiskey Girl?

Whiskey Girls are smart, successful, curious, downright funny, adventurous, and classy, and they love to laugh and have a good time. I think people generally think of whiskey and bourbon as “male” drinks, but we’ve seen a strong level of interest from the women in our community for Everwild. Women make up 50 percent of our guests and, interestingly, 70 percent of our liquor purchases are made by the woman in a household.

From appreciating whiskey to distilling it, how are women changing the face of the business?

Women are gaining credibility as distillery owners, head distillers, blenders, brand managers, CEOs, etc., at virtually every level of the business. Customer service is really at the core of our business, and I want to make sure that our team keeps that front of mind and never loses focus on how important that is.

Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

9 cups lemonade

18 medium strawberries

1 cup vodka

Strawberries or lemon twists

Freeze 6 cups of lemonade in ice cube trays for at least two hours (but preferably overnight). Add the lemonade cubes, strawberries, and vodka to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into hurricane glasses. Garnish with strawberries or lemon twists. Find more recipes on page 8.

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