361: Burnt Tavern Bourbon & William Berkele Distillery

In this episode of The Bourbon Lens Podcast, Jake and Scott sit down with members of the team behind Burnt Tavern Bourbon, a new bourbon developed by William Berkele Distillery in collaboration with renowned whiskey maker Chip Tate.

Joining the conversation are Bennett Clark, President of William Berkele Distillery, Royce Blevins, Lead Founder, and Chip Tate, Master Distiller. Together, they discuss the origins of Burnt Tavern Bourbon, the historical inspiration behind the brand, and how William Berkele Distillery is bringing a centuries-old story into the modern whiskey landscape.

The episode explores the collaborative process behind developing Burnt Tavern Bourbon, Chip Tate's approach to wood finishing and flavor development, and how the team balanced tradition with innovation to create a distinct new American whiskey. Jake and Scott also dig into the challenges and opportunities facing new bourbon brands today, and what sets Burnt Tavern apart in an increasingly crowded market.

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Scott & Jake
Bourbon Lens

 

Chip Tate – Master Distiller

Chip Tate is a trailblazer in American craft distilling. He founded his first distillery in 2008, combining his passion for fermentation, culinary arts, and hands-on craftsmanship. With a diverse background spanning brewing, IT, physics, and philosophy, Chip brings a uniquely creative and technical perspective to whiskey making.

As the founder of Balcones Distilling, Chip hand-built his copper stills and created award-winning whiskies that earned nearly 150 national and international honors, including Whisky Magazine's Icon of Whisky and the World Whiskies Award for Best American Whisky.

Inspired by William Berkele's centuries-old bourbon heritage and the story of Burnt Tavern, Chip applied his vision and wood-finishing expertise to craft this distinct new bourbon brand. He lives in Texas with his wife, Rachel, and their two children. Outside the distillery, Chip enjoys playing guitar and cooking.

Bennett Clark – President, William Berkele Distillery

Bennett Clark is the President of William Berkele Distillery, where he oversees daily operations, logistics, and contract management. With a background in real estate, construction, development, and coaching, Bennett brings broad industry experience and a practical, results-driven leadership style.

His strengths in sales, project management, and consulting have helped guide the distillery's growth, operational strategy, and collaborative partnerships. A native of Danville, Kentucky, Bennett holds a Bachelor of Arts from Centre College.

Bennett has lived in Lexington, Kentucky for more than 20 years and is married with three daughters. Outside of work, he is an avid golfer and remains active in his local community.

Royce Blevins – Lead Founder, William Berkele Distillery

Royce Blevins is the Lead Founder of William Berkele Distillery, playing a central role in the planning, development, and operations of the company. He brings over 20 years of experience in facilities management, construction, and plant operations.

Royce holds multiple professional licenses in plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, and is EPA certified, providing deep technical expertise across complex production environments. In addition to his role at William Berkele Distillery, he serves as Senior Manager of Facilities and Corporate Services at YUM Brands in Louisville, Kentucky.

Previously, Royce was the Facilities Director at the Kentucky Horse Park, where he helped manage major events including the 2010 World Equestrian Games and the annual Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. He is also an accomplished NCAA women's basketball official. A lifelong Central Kentuckian, Royce is married and has four children.