Scott Schiller
A 5th Generation Distiller, Scott Schiller has over 20 years of experience in multiple aspects of the liquor business, ranging from business and product development, to sales and marketing. He is an expert in creating strategies to mitigate risks in startup and emerging spirits businesses and managing brand portfolios of all sizes, including long-established internationally distributed brands. Schiller has championed Thoroughbred’s commitment to deliver superlative client results while building internal capabilities in client firms. Throughout his career, Schiller has worked with companies and brands such as Ambrabev, American Born Moonshine, Ascendant Spirits, Azul Tequila, Bently Heritage Craft Distillery, Blaum Bros. Distilling, Dancing Cat Distillery, Dutch’s Spirits, Few Spirits, Glass Vodka, Gran Centenario, Grande Arnage Cognac, Hangar One Vodka, Jackpot Spirits, Maestro Dobel Tequila, Matusalem Rum, Rio-D Cachaca, Spring 44 Distillery, St. George Spirits, and Stranahans Colorado Whiskey.
Schiller learned the distilling business from his Grandfather Joseph D’Anna who owned the world famous Bucket O’ Suds in Chicago. “The Bucket” offered over 80 proprietary spirits that Joe made by hand from generations of recipes and personal creations. Throughout his career, Schiller has owned two distilling companies including J. D’Anna Distilling, a manufacturer of cachaca and cognacs with facilities in Brazil, France, and the U.S. Scott spearheaded the sale of J. D’Anna’s brands in 2009.
At Proximo Spirits, the spirits division of the Beckmann Family, Schiller oversaw new brand development and was on the team that purchased Hangar One Vodka and Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey. An entrepreneur at heart, Schiller left Proximo in 2011 to start Thoroughbred, which was an original concept he developed as an incubator for the Brown-Forman Corporation (B-F was an original suitor for J. D’Anna Distilling). In addition, Schiller assisted in the concept and operational design behind The Distilled Spirits Epicenter, which is the United States’ only institution dedicated to the education of the distilling industry.
Schiller is also a guest speaker and mentor for the Entrepreneurship Department at his alma mater, Miami University, as well as a speaker for the Distilled Spirits Epicenter, the American Distilling Institute, American Craft Distillers Association, the Craft Beverage Expo, and is a contributing writer to Artisan Spirit Magazine.
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