Bardstown Bourbon Co. founder, chairman dies unexpectedly at Miami home

NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT

Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019 — Peter T. Loftin, founder of the Bardstown Bourbon Co. and the company’s chairman, died unexpectedly at his home in Miami, Fla., on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019.

Loftin was 62.

Loftin was a telecom entrepreneur who founded a company called BTI in 1983 and drove it to major success in the early days of the competitive telephone industry.

In 2016, he founded Bardstown Bourbon Co., the largest new whiskey distiller in the U.S. according to his biography.

A statement from the company said, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bardstown Bourbon Company chairman Peter Loftin. … Please keep Peter’s family in your thoughts during this difficult time.”

Loftin was instrumental in the company’s partnership with Constellation Brands. Constellation is the parent of Corona and a Fortune 500 company with a diversified spirits portfolio. Constellation acquired a minority stake in the company.

Under Loftin’s leadership, Bardstown Bourbon Co. launched its collaborative whiskey, bourbon and rye distilling program, which allows the distillery to use its capacity to create unique products for its partners.

Loftin was born and raised in North Carolina. His mother was an elementary school teacher and his father was a Korean War veteran who worked for the Social Security Administration.

A full obituary will be posted when the information becomes available.

-30-