Trudy Thomas has more than ten years of experience as a nationally known Beverage Director and Mixologist which includes the historic JW Marriott Camelback Inn in Scottsdale as well as four years working closely with Chef Wolfgang Puck in his Casual Dining Division.  A Kentucky native, she grew up in an area rich in the tradition of moonshine which inspired an early fascination, not just with the whisky industry, but with the people who make up the remarkable community that crafts, lives, and breathes bourbon. She has a unique insight into the bourbon world through her long friendships with bourbon’s master distillers and has committed herself to teaching consumers about America’s native spirit.  This dedication to Kentucky bourbon has casually labeled her as  “The First Daughter of Bourbon”.

In 2008 she became the first person to take and pass, on the same day, both the Certified Specialist of Wine and the Certified Specialist of Spirits exams from the Society of Wine Educators.  She is a co-founder of the Arizona Chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild, a former member of Marriott’s Corporate Beverage Council, a founding board member of Arizona Cocktail Week and a contributor to several industry publications. A winner of the 2012 VIBE Beverage Award for Best Spirits Promotion, she is a contributor to several industry publications and has cocktails featured in the media including Cosmopolitan, The Washington Post, South West Airlines, Phoenix Home and Garden and Perez Hilton Online.

 She has served as spirits judge to both the prestigious San Francisco Spirit’s Competition, one of the top spirits competitions in the world, and as a wine, spirits and beer judge at Chicago’s Beverage Tasting Institute. “Her ability to quickly and cogently assess the commercial viability, customer affinity, and practical serving or cocktail application of anything she tastes is a highly prized asset that she brings to her role as wine and spirits judge” – Chicago Beverage Tasting Institute.