Jeff Arnett, Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller, on being the luckiest guy in the world, Roger Staubach, and eating bugs
What was your first-ever job? When I was 16 I had a summer job on the yard crew of a local college. I mowed the lawn, edged the sidewalks, poisoned weeds and hauled mattresses between dorm rooms for the minimum wage at the time.
You've got 25 words to describe your career to date. How about just one word? Lucky.
How do you describe your job to your mates? I confidently tell everyone I know and meet I am the luckiest guy they've ever met. After being named the seventh master distiller for Old No.7 and working at the distillery for seven years, I'd say that's pretty accurate.
If you could change one thing in grocery what would it be? I wish there were more standardisation between countries and states in regard to distilled spirits distribution.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? I love the balance of being able to work at the distillery and live in Lynchburg 80% of the time, and travelling the world and meeting friends of Jack Daniel's the other 20%.
What is the least rewarding part? I love every part but feel disappointed when I can't accept every invitation I get to visit different countries.
If you were allowed one dream perk what would it be? Considering how early in the morning and how often I drive to the Nashville, TN airport, I'd like a runway and jet at the Lynchburg distillery.
What is your motto in life? "Life is too short to drink cheap whiskey."
What do you like to do outside work? I am a DIY home project type of person. I like to work around the house at weekends making it more functional and comfortable for my family.
What's your nickname? My best friend has called me Home Skillet for a long time. It's a slang term for someone that is just a friend but you consider as close as a relative.
What did you want to be when you were a kid? I wanted to be Roger Staubach and play quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys.
If you could pick a celebrity to join your staff, who would it be? Although he has passed away, I'd love to have Frank Sinatra as a member of Jack Daniel's staff. He was one of our greatest ambassadors in his lifetime.
What would you request as your final meal? I'd just order a Jack Daniel's Single Barrel (on the rocks).
What's the weirdest thing you've eaten? I once ate a bug of some sort. It taught me to keep my mouth closed while riding any motorcycle without a windshield.
What was your first-ever job? When I was 16 I had a summer job on the yard crew of a local college. I mowed the lawn, edged the sidewalks, poisoned weeds and hauled mattresses between dorm rooms for the minimum wage at the time.
You've got 25 words to describe your career to date. How about just one word? Lucky.
How do you describe your job to your mates? I confidently tell everyone I know and meet I am the luckiest guy they've ever met. After being named the seventh master distiller for Old No.7 and working at the distillery for seven years, I'd say that's pretty accurate.
If you could change one thing in grocery what would it be? I wish there were more standardisation between countries and states in regard to distilled spirits distribution.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? I love the balance of being able to work at the distillery and live in Lynchburg 80% of the time, and travelling the world and meeting friends of Jack Daniel's the other 20%.
What is the least rewarding part? I love every part but feel disappointed when I can't accept every invitation I get to visit different countries.
If you were allowed one dream perk what would it be? Considering how early in the morning and how often I drive to the Nashville, TN airport, I'd like a runway and jet at the Lynchburg distillery.
What is your motto in life? "Life is too short to drink cheap whiskey."
What do you like to do outside work? I am a DIY home project type of person. I like to work around the house at weekends making it more functional and comfortable for my family.
What's your nickname? My best friend has called me Home Skillet for a long time. It's a slang term for someone that is just a friend but you consider as close as a relative.
What did you want to be when you were a kid? I wanted to be Roger Staubach and play quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys.
If you could pick a celebrity to join your staff, who would it be? Although he has passed away, I'd love to have Frank Sinatra as a member of Jack Daniel's staff. He was one of our greatest ambassadors in his lifetime.
What would you request as your final meal? I'd just order a Jack Daniel's Single Barrel (on the rocks).
What's the weirdest thing you've eaten? I once ate a bug of some sort. It taught me to keep my mouth closed while riding any motorcycle without a windshield.
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