As Women’s History Month approaches, the Kentucky bourbon landscape is seeing a new generation of leadership step confidently into the spotlight. Among them is Autumn Nethery, a rising force in whiskey who is building a legacy rooted in heritage, innovation, and a clear-eyed vision for where the category is headed next.
Nethery’s journey into bourbon began early. When her family entered the distilling business in the early 2010s, she quickly found herself immersed in every corner of the operation. That hands-on exposure made her one of Kentucky’s youngest distillery owners, giving her firsthand experience in brand development, operations, and the realities of building a spirits business from the ground up.
Seeking to deepen her understanding of the craft, Nethery spent a school year at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, one of the world’s most respected institutions for distilling education. While studying abroad, she discovered an important truth about her strengths. Production, while fascinating, wasn’t where she felt most at home. Instead, she found a natural aptitude and passion for sales and marketing, recognizing the power of storytelling, relationships, and brand identity in a crowded and competitive whiskey market.
That realization would ultimately shape her next chapter.
In 2025, Nethery launched her own whiskey brand, PaPaw’s Ridge, an award-winning label defined by premium quality and deep personal meaning. Named in honor of her grandfather, Roy “Papaw” Nethery, the brand is a tribute to family heritage and the values that helped shape her path. Rather than leaning solely on tradition, PaPaw’s Ridge blends respect for Kentucky bourbon’s roots with a fresh, modern perspective—one that reflects Nethery’s own voice in the industry.
PaPaw’s Ridge made its debut in Florida with its first release, PaPaw’s Ridge Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, immediately earning recognition and awards that signaled the brand’s serious intent. Expansion is planned throughout the coming year, and the whiskey is already available for online purchase, shipping to more than 40 states nationwide.
In an industry long dominated by men, Autumn Nethery represents a meaningful shift, not just as a woman-owned brand founder, but as a leader shaping how bourbon is marketed, positioned, and introduced to new consumers. Her story is one of legacy reimagined, where family history and forward-thinking strategy meet in the glass.
As Women’s History Month shines a light on those redefining their fields, Nethery’s rise serves as a reminder that the future of Kentucky bourbon is being written by a new generation—one that honors the past while confidently charting its own course. And PaPaw’s Ridge is a name bourbon fans will want to remember.
