Melinda Maddox

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. Mel got her start on the mixology side, with a creative eye for cocktails, winning her Espolon’s Cocktail Fights 2016 (Northern Region) and named her a Global Finalist for Bombay Sapphire's 2018 Most Imaginative Bartender.

From managing the bar to the barrel room.
In 2019, Mel joined the Old Elk herd as Beverage Director, ensuring all guests got the full tasting room experience at ‘The Reserve.’ She also handled on-premise and bartender community engagement. Her deep interest and knowledge of whiskey production led to her to new positions as Old Elk’s Production Manager, and later Old Elk’s Head of Production, where today she’s the team’s “go-to” on anything relating to the whiskey liquid. Everything from barrel inventory to blending, bottling, R&D for new product development and the Single Barrel program are within Mel’s domain. And the industry is taking notice. In 2023, she was named a finalist Production Manager of the Year from the Women of Whiskey Awards.

Becoming Old Elk’s first Master Blender.
Now, as Old Elk’s first Master Blender, Mel is creating and innovating the way in which we reach new flavor combinations. With her passion and experience in blending, early in 2024, she became Old Elk’s Master Blender. Her knock for production and passion for quality continues to receive 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. 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.