A partnership of experience
Combining Alan Foltman’s background in custom foods and as a chef delivering products that were uniquely flavorful with David’s extensive whisky experience and a career of interacting with consumers across the country… together was a recipe – or mash bill– for producing single barrel bourbons and premium spirits for individual consumers that are always a palate pleaser under their own custom labeling.
Seeing the opportunity to take the successful approach Al used to build consumer brands and products, and leverage that experience with Dave Sweet’s broad and expansive involvement in the whiskey industry, together they created a direct to consumer custom and personalized bourbon offering.
A partnership that created the genetics for success – D&A Custom Spirits
David Sweet
For more than 17 years, David has owned, participated in and managed large scale tasting events across North America, England and Australia. He is currently running his own event series, Whiskey and Barrel Nite, in 6 cities from coast to coast, educating thousands on the wonders of all types of American and international whiskies. David still consults on multiple projects abroad including several in Australia. Through June 2018, he was the Senior VP North America for Whisky Magazine and driving force for content and new creative concepts. David personally managed and took part in over 50 special barrel selections and other high profile engagements with the whiskey industry, expanding his involvement and relationships. Adopting the mantra “Buy with your palate, not your ego” has become the underlying message in all his events and whiskey endeavors. With the successful launch of “Whiskey and Barrel Nite” across the US and recent additional expansions of his own award-winning independent bottling brand, Barrel and Bottle, David is well positioned to take 20 years of whiskey education, tasting events and in-depth industry knowledge and put it to work supporting both consumers and the spirits industry.
Alan Foltman
Serial entrepreneur, professional chef, businessman and forever public facing… Alan Foltman “Big Al”, has always made his own way with a consumer first approach to his businesses. Combining his professional chef skills and love of the outdoors, coupled with a vision for what is needed in target markets, Al created ‘Big Al’s Pheasant Pies’. Naturally friendly and truly enjoying being engaged with people, Al became a known personality and his pheasant pies and outdoor adventure cooking became recognized celebrities in the outdoors and hunting communities.
After interacting with Dave at Al’s hunting and shooting preserve, Al saw the opportunity for a new approach to the bourbon industry utilizing his prior successes and affinity for interacting and educating directly with consumers. It was Al’s vision to use that public facing approach to bring bourbon directly to consumers, but at a more personal and engaged level, as he had practiced with his pies and cooking shows. An approach and vision that promoted their shared philosophy of accessibility and authenticity.
As he has done with all of his businesses over a broad and extensive 40 year career, and not being deterred by typical conventions that usually restrain the spirits industry, Al challenged Dave to work together to create a legal, functional and always public facing path to deliver a custom bourbon and spirits offerings to consumers and industry alike that was unique and personal.
Their partnership exemplified Al’s penchant for challenging traditional norms and pushing the boundaries of what was deemed possible within any industry. And hence, the evolution of D&A Custom Spirits.
