Deep whiskey knowledge with a creative mixologist spirit.
Melinda (Mel) Maddox is a true industry vet with over two decades of experience in bar and hospitality management, including a decade of distillery operations and production management. Maddox entered the industry on the mixology side, with a creative eye for cocktails that won her Espolon’s Cocktail Fights 2016 (Northern Region) and named her a Global Finalist for Bombay Sapphire's 2018 Most Imaginative Bartender.
On the path to Old Elk Master Blender.
Her tenure at Old Elk began in 2019 as the brand’s Beverage Director, ensuring all guests were well taken care of at the Old Elk tasting room ‘The Reserve’, and leading on-premise and bartender community engagement. Her deep interest and knowledge in whiskey production led to her current role of Production Manager, where today she is the team’s “go-to” on anything relating to the whiskey liquid. She manages everything from barrel inventory to blending, bottling, R&D for new product development and the Single Barrel program.
Blending is her passion, and she is currently on the path to becoming Old Elk’s first Master Blender. Her creative and innovative approach to flavor combinations and her level head for production operations has led to industry accolades for both her blends and her management expertise. Her debut whiskey blend, Cigar Cut™, won Gold from both the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the Bartender Spirits Awards. And in 2023, she was named a finalist Production Manager of the Year from the Women of Whiskey Awards.
Creative, people-oriented leadership with vision.
As Production Manager, Maddox brings a creative eye, an innate ability to connect with others and a deep whiskey know-how to the team at Old Elk. When not working hard at the distillery, you’ll find her exploring the outdoors or sipping on her personal favorite cocktail, the Scofflaw.
