Jackie Zykan Leaves Whiskey Blending for Whiskey-Based Fragrance Line

When Jackie Zykan departed Old Forester in 2022, she was part of a wave of master distillers and blenders at legacy brands who were setting out on their own and pursuing new posts. While she wasn’t driven by a desire to own a whiskey brand, that’s exactly what unfolded at Hidden Barn Whiskey—she became a co-owner of the new label, alongside Neeley Family master distiller Royce Neeley and 5280 Whiskey Society founder Nate Winegar. Her tenure at Hidden Barn was punctuated by creative blending, leading to small-batch releases of bourbon, rye, and four-grain whiskey that were generally made from less than 10 barrels (a far cry from her work at Old Forester). When Neeley acquired Hidden Barn in full in June 2024, Zykan stayed on as the brand’s master blender. Now, almost a year to the day from that acquisition, Zykan is parting ways with Hidden Barn to focus full-time on Oduoak, a whiskey-based fragrance line she founded in 2020, as well as start her own agricultural venture.

The gold standard of perfume, “eau de perfume,” is made by combining essential oil, neutral alcohol, and distilled water. With Oduoak, Zykan has replaced that neutral alcohol with whiskey; the oils she adds are informed by the aromas in the whiskey, making for a scent that calls to mind nosing a dram. So far, Zykan has created 12 unique Oduoak perfumes made with either a base of Kentucky bourbon or Colorado whiskey finished with aspen staves. As far as her new agricultural venture goes, Zykan will be growing aromatic flowers and herbs for her fragrances.

Even as she moves on, Zykan isn’t severing ties with Hidden Barn completely—she’s taken on the moniker of master blender emeritus and will contribute some of her herb yield to Neeley for his Wormwood Absinthe Verte. Neeley, too, has said the door is wide open for Zykan should she ever want to collaborate on future Hidden Barn whiskey releases.