Sara Havens has covered the bourbon scene for more than 15 years as a Louisville-based writer and editor, and her work has appeared in local, regional, and national publications. She’s also an avid bottle collector who isn’t afraid to pop open a prized possession. Known as The Bar Belle, she maintains her own website, barbellelou.com, and leads bourbon tours for Mint Julep Experiences.

Ed Atlas’ bourbon journey began at age five when his mother caved to his demand for a sip of her whiskey and water. The experience was not good. It would be 5+ decades until the Louisville native’s next taste, and even that was so he’d have something to do during lockdown. But he’s always appreciated bourbon history and culture. He favors traditional bars, lounges, and labels and displays his collection on a century-old, converted bar that once was a piano belonging to the Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas. Ed has lived in Nashville since 1998 but remains loyal to the Louisville Cardinals. In real life, he is a writer, editor, photographer, and mediocre guitarist.

Growing up in Monroeville, Alabama, hospitality was a recurring concept in Brown’s childhood. Her mother and grandmother were pros at conveying anything from celebration to sympathy via a rotating door and a casserole dish. Her hope is to carry on this tradition of intentional gathering through wine and spirits while highlighting the independent businesses that work diligently to produce products of purpose.

Maria Dinoia is a transplanted New Yorker living in Franklin, TN for the last 19 years. She’s the editor of both Franklin and Thompson’s Station Lifestyle magazines and co-owner (along with her husband) of The Tennis Store. As a mom to three young adults, she’s got that whole ‘purpose-driven, change-making, warrior princess, super mom’ thing going on while trying to balance it all.

Currently hailing from Tennessee after living around the world with her military family, Christina has had the opportunity to experience a variety of whiskey, scotch and bourbon drinks. She fell in love with scotch whiskey after a tasting in Scotland and has been a fan ever since. Christina is a published fiction author with an extensive communications background in technical, creative and speech writing.

Chris Parton is a Nashville-based journalist and author with over 15 years of published work covering the intersection of creativity, culture, and commerce. With a deep love of storytelling (and a natural curiosity), he’s profiled everyone from superstar artists and billionaire schemers to start-up craftsmen and downhome dreamers. At Bourbon+, he’ll explore the proud tradition of distilling and how it connects with themes like community, history, entrepreneurship, and more.

Kellie Walton is a freelance writer specialized in food and travel. A former hospitality PR pro, she now tells stories of her own adventures (and misadventures), shouts about places she loves, and creates guides to inspire readers to wander the world. Follow along on Instagram, @kellieewalton.