Lee Kennedy

“Happiness is having a rare steak, a bottle of whiskey, and a dog to eat the rare steak.” 

- Johnny Carson

Hello everyone… Can you feel it in the air? Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and the days seem a little longer and brighter. It’s March! Spring is nature’s way of saying, “let’s party.” March is also time for us to Eat, Drink & Be Merry here at YOUR Community Media.

I am honored to present to you our “A SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN IS” — Founder, proprietor and master distiller of Leiper's Fork Distillery (LFD) and Leiper’s Fork Distillery’s House of Spirits, Mr. Lee Kennedy.

I have had the privilege of knowing Lee for several years and am thankful to call him my friend. He is a true Southern Gentleman. They say that good things happen to good people. I have watched Lee’s journey at LFD from the beginning and am in awe of where he is today, and I am looking forward to seeing what’s next. Lee is a gentleman who loves his family, loves this community and knows how to make amazing Tennessee Whiskey. We had the opportunity to share a conversation with Lee for this month's issue - enjoy!

What does being a gentleman mean to you?

Like my grandfather taught me, being a gentleman means treating everyone with respect, being humble and kind, and sticking up for those who can’t for themselves. There is so much of today’s society that promotes ego and bravado. I strive to be a simple person, and in interactions, I attempt to put myself in the other person’s shoes. I also think empathy for others is another hallmark of being a gentleman. Loving God and loving people is what I strive to do every day. I think when you sum it all up, that is what we are called to do.

Who were the Southern gentlemen you looked up to, and what did they teach you?

One of the biggest influences in my life, and the Southern gentleman I look up to the most, is my grandfather, Nick Locke. He was a Golden Gloves boxer, a WWII Veteran and was one of the toughest, but kindest, men I’ve ever known. He taught me to treat everyone with respect, to be humble and to be fiercely protective of your family. In a lot of ways, I owe who I am today to him. He passed away in 2008, but is still my North Star when it comes to the way I live my life.

What is the one nugget of advice that you continue to hold most dear in your decision-making?

In our industry specifically, authenticity is key. A lot of times, that goes against economy of scale or what is best for the bottom line. We view everything we do every day through the lens of “what is best for the whiskey.” For us, that means using quality local ingredients, cutting no corners, attention to detail and transparency. We are the only true grain-to-glass whiskey producer in Williamson County, and that gives us a sense of responsibility. We feel we are upholding one of the rich traditions of our state.

What advice would you give a young you or today’s younger generation to help them reach their potential and be the best they can be, in life and in business?

I believe there is no substitute for dogged determination and perseverance. So much about life is showing up every day. We have been operating at Leiper’s Fork for ten years with a singular tenacity. We are involved in an industry that is fun, but at the end of the day, growing a successful business is a grind. My biggest advice to any young entrepreneur is to have a positive attitude, be hard-working, gritty and loyal to the folks around you.

How have the women in your life impacted who and where you are today?

In a lot of ways, I am shaped by the women in my life. My mother and grandmother, specifically. My mother, who has now passed, raised two boys as a single mother, was a tough businesswoman, kind to all she met and was the most faith-filled woman I’ve known. She passed that on to me and my brother, Wes. I couldn’t do life without my wife, Lynlee. Through ups and downs, she has stuck with me on this crazy adventure, and she’s the love of my life. I don’t know how she does it, but she juggles so much between helping to manage the distillery and running our household. The word 'quit' is not in her vocabulary. Also, at the distillery, we are basically woman-managed. Almost all my upper management, including my head distiller, Kendra Anderson, are women. I call them the She-Wolves in jest. In my opinion, women tend to get things done that men can’t.

Aside from your own brand, what is one spirit you will always have on your shelf?

Aside from my own brand, Glenfarclas twenty-five-year Single Malt Scotch and BNAAA Mezcal. They both are family-owned brands with rich heritage and take an artisanal approach to the spirits they produce. Glenfarclas has been in the same family for 150 years, and BNAAA was started by a group of inspirational Navy Seals. If you can find them, pick them up.

If you could pour a drink for and share conversation with any Southern figure, living or dead, who would it be?

That is a hard question. For me, I would say Hank Williams Sr. Growing up in Lower Alabama before moving to my mother’s native state of Tennessee, as a teenager, he was a larger-than-life figure. I have always loved music and, for me, he is one of the foundations for the music I enjoy today. He was a bluesman at heart. I’m somewhat of a creative myself, and I think there is no better songwriter than him. His music was simple and beautiful, but he was a complex and somewhat tortured soul.

Have you accomplished all, or most, of what you sought to do? What is the next project, if any?

I definitely have not accomplished all I’ve set out to do. Being in the whiskey industry takes patience, whether it’s producing and aging a spirit or achieving your goals. This is not an industry to make a quick buck. We have been operating for ten years at Leiper’s Fork, and I feel we are still in our infancy, as far as distilleries go. We are still gaining market share and brand awareness. Eventually, we want to be known as a regional producer of authentic and quality whiskeys. It takes determination and time to do that. To increase brand awareness in an organic way, we have opened a satellite location of our distillery in downtown Franklin, called House of Spirits, and currently working on an expansion at the Nashville Yards, off Broadway, in downtown Nashville. Our two biggest cultural exports from the State of Tennessee are music and whiskey, and we want to lean into that in an experiential way.

How has your family been involved and impacted where you are now?

My family’s history and involvement have been instrumental in where I am now. Leiper’s Fork Distillery is a true family-owned business. All our ownership is comprised of family. My wife, Lynlee, is very involved. My cousin, Keeley Locke, is our VP of Operations, and my Uncle Nick was our initial CFO. Doing business in the community of Leiper’s Fork, where I have roots, on my Locke side of the family, dating back to 1805, gives us a tradition and heritage that motivates us in a unique way. Passing Leiper’s Fork cemetery, where my 6th great-grandmother and 5th great-grandfather are buried, provides a rich and different perspective on what we do every day. Whiskey production has always been tied to a sense of place, and I wouldn’t want to do what we do anywhere else.

What has surprised you most about being in this industry?

What has surprised me most about this industry is all the different facets. Within our distillery, we manage multiple business models; manufacturing first and foremost, a retail operation and hospitality services. All those take different skill sets. Within the broader industry, we navigate wholesalers, regulators, marketing, advertising, etc. I have heard it said that being an entrepreneur is like jumping off a cliff and building an airplane on your way down. It feels that way at times. We find ourselves pivoting and developing the situation as we go. Sometimes the path to a goal may change, and you must be nimble enough to make adjustments in your planning.

Neat, rocks, or cocktail—and why?

For whiskey specifically, I would say try it neat first. By trying a whiskey neat, you get to know the spirit, and it allows you to glean something about the essence of the product. By doing this, it will inform your decision on how to treat it within a cocktail, if that is your choice. Some whiskeys may stand out in certain cocktails, while others may tend to get lost. At the end of the day though, drink it how you like it. Different situations call for different ways of enjoying whiskey.

Thank you, Lee, for sharing your time. I wish you continued success. I agree that we are all called to love God, family and community. I know Grandfather Nick is so proud. You might say you, in your own way, are “ just carrying on an ole’ family tradition.”