Taste Radio

Dr. Pat Heist may not be the first rock musician to successfully launch and sell a spirit brand (shoutout to Sammy Hagar), but he could very well be the first to do so with a Ph.D. in plant pathology. Known as "Dr. Pat" to many, he is the co-founder of Wilderness Trail, a craft whiskey distillery based in Danville, Kentucky, renowned for blending modern scientific innovation with traditional distilling techniques. In 2012, alongside his long-time business partner Shane Baker, Dr. Pat launched Wilderness Trail, combining their extensive expertise in advising other spirit companies on production and fermentation. Their first product debuted in 2018, and since then, the brand has built a reputation for its exceptional bourbon and rye whiskey. In a major milestone for the distillery, Italian spirits giant Campari acquired a 70% stake in Wilderness Trail in October 2022, valuing the deal at $420 million, with an option to purchase the remaining 30% in 2031. At that time, the full ownership of the brand was estimat