Gin Distiller & Production Lead

Gin Distiller & Production Lead — Part-Time

Never Say Die Bourbon | Lexington, Kentucky
Approximately 15–20 hours/month once operational | Preferably Mondays
Start: Late September 2026
 

Never Say Die is a Kentucky bourbon brand opening a distillery and brand home in downtown Lexington. Our experience space will include a 1950s-style British library, a racetrack-shaped tasting table, and a rickhouse-styled barrel room, all built for guests who want to taste, learn, and take something home they can't get anywhere else.

Never Say Die Bourbon is looking for a part-time Gin Distiller & Production Lead to develop and run the gin program. 

This is an opportunity to develop a commercial gin from the ground up and take ownership of the production process without the commitment of a full-time distilling role.

You'll help finalize and commission our 50-gallon still, develop the botanical bill and recipe, establish a repeatable production process, and then lead ongoing distillation and bottling.

Our goal is to produce approximately 600 wine gallons of gin annually.

What You'll Do

Develop the Gin

• Develop the botanical bill and recipe
• Determine botanical quantities and vapor-infusion approach
• Establish charge proof, distillation parameters, cuts, and finishing proof
• Run test batches and refine the recipe as needed
• Establish finished-product specifications and a repeatable production process

The objective is straightforward: produce a quality, consistent, cocktail-friendly house gin.

Build the Production Setup

We have a 50-gallon still earmarked for the operation but want the person who will run it to have input before the final purchase.

You'll:

• Review the proposed still and supporting equipment
• Provide input on the gin basket/vapor-infusion setup
• Help commission the system
• Establish operating procedures, expected yields, and production cadence

Lead Production

Once the program is established, you'll lead ongoing production based on inventory needs and our annual production target.

Responsibilities include:

• Preparing and charging the still
• Preparing botanicals
• Operating the still and vapor-infusion system independently
• Making cuts, proofing, and finishing the gin
• Maintaining batch consistency
• Overseeing cleaning and shutdown
• Leading bottling
• Maintaining production records using Distill x 5

A Never Say Die team member will assist with production and bottling under your direction.

Who We're Looking For

You'll be operating independently from day one, so you'll need the practical foundation already in place.

Required:

• Hands-on professional experience in commercial spirits production
• Ability to operate distillation equipment safely and independently
• Strong understanding of distillation, proofing, cuts, yields, and sensory evaluation
• Experience safely handling high-proof spirits
• Strong attention to cleanliness, documentation, safety, and consistency
• Ability to troubleshoot routine production issues independently

Preferred:

• Working knowledge of gin formulation and botanical distillation
• Familiarity with vapor infusion or botanical basket systems
• Experience with NGS redistillation

Previous professional gin production experience is not required.

Schedule

The role has two phases.

Development & Commissioning: The initial commitment will be higher and more variable as you review equipment, commission the system, develop the recipe, run test batches, and establish the production process.

Ongoing Production: Once operational, we anticipate approximately 15–20 hours per month on average, preferably on Mondays. Production is scheduled on Mondays, when the distillery is closed to guests and the production floor is yours.

Production dates will be established well in advance, with some scheduling flexibility based on production needs and the successful candidate's primary work schedule.

The exact number of annual runs will be determined once the final equipment, recipe, yields, and process have been validated.

Compensation

Compensation will include:

• Hourly pay for ongoing production and bottling work, negotiable based on experience
• One-time stipend for recipe development, equipment review, commissioning, and program setup

What to Know Before You Apply

Recipe ownership. Never Say Die owns the recipe and formulation developed in this role. In return, we're glad to credit you as the founding distiller of the gin, on the bottle, in the brand home, or both.

Confidentiality. We understand our strongest candidates likely work elsewhere in Kentucky spirits. Applications are treated confidentially, and we'll work with you on timing, disclosure, and any conflict-of-interest or moonlighting considerations