Ashley Barnes

09/10/2026

I will not be attending KBF this year. It’s bitter sweet for many reasons. While I’m definitely having a little FOMO, it is also kind of nice to step back. Cheers 🥃

07/01/2026

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We had a great time recording this week’s podcast episode with Ashley | Master blender🥃 and hearing all about the soon to be released Jacob Spears Bourbon.

Distilled by Bourbon Legend, Jim Rutledge, and blended by Ashley, this is an exciting and highly awaited new Bourbon that I know people are going to love.

And Matt and I were some of the 1st to get to try it in its developmental stages and as a single barrel.

To learn more check out the full episode with Ashley Barnes now.

Link to Episode in our Profile LinkTree.
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06/30/2026

So surreal to be fully operational and watching this dream Monica and I had not only come to life but thrive!

Building a spirits brand can be far more complicated than people realize.

By the time a bottle reaches a consumer's hands, it has often passed through multiple facilities, vendors, and partners, each responsible for a different piece of the journey. The process works, but it can also create unnecessary complexity, inefficiency, and risk.

We built The Blending House because we believed there was a better way.

Rather than brands needing to coordinate multiple partners across multiple locations, we created a purpose-built facility where everything that happens after distillation is under one roof. We offer operational expertise and the attention to detail that every brand deserves.

06/26/2026

Always great to catch up with Mark and Matt! This is such a special episode for so many reasons.

06/16/2026

Such an amazing collaboration and project!

06/11/2026

Update for The Spirits Group

Life Update:

Building on the strong foundation we created together and 10 years of partnership, we have reached a new stage in our professional journey we’re excited to share.

Ashley will be expanding her independent consulting, blending, and product development work with the goal to create more flexibility for herself and family. As The Blending House continues to grow and expand, Monica will be focused full-time on leading the company as CEO and driving the next phase of growth for the bottling facility. This evolution allows us to each focus on our greatest strengths while continuing to collaborate on the projects and partnerships we’ve built together over the years. Ashley’s expertise remains an important part of The Blending House, where she will continue to provide blending and sensory services, and we remain partners in E.J. Curley & Co. (which we purchased last September!).

This next chapter gives us both the ability to pursue new ideas, support our families, and continue contributing to the spirits industry in meaningful ways. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together and grateful for the clients, partners, and friends who have been part of the journey. We look forward to continuing to work together in new ways while building on everything we’ve created.

Here’s to growth, evolution, and the next chapter 🥃

05/03/2026

I was blessed to meet Jim many years ago at Four Roses. He was always quick to share his knowledge and thoughts on process and blends, from tasting to marketing, life and all things bourbon. So much I learned from him has influenced me and helped me in accomplishing what I have and those things yet to come. I often cherish the time we get together and don’t often ask to take a picture but I am so glad that I did. He is still out here doing big things and making great bourbon. Cannot wait to see what the future holds and I can only hope to one day have half the impact on someone that he has on me.