Corbin Arrasmith, the lead distiller at Pensive Distilling Company in Newport, will join the newest cohort of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association Leadership Academy in 2026.
Arrasmith will join 19 other distilling professionals from around the commonwealth in the association’s 11-month course, which aims to give the participants a global view of the bourbon industry and the Kentucky Distillers’ Association’s, or KDA’s, role in it. This will be the fifth iteration of the class.
“As we welcome the fifth class of KDA’s Leadership Academy, I’m reminded once again of the talent that’s inspiring and fueling Kentucky’s signature industry,” KDA President Eric Gregory said in a press release. “The diverse perspectives and unity of our membership are essential to our success, and I look forward to working with this exceptional group in 2026.”
The academy will occur over 10 sessions between January and November next year. Topics include bourbon tourism, KDA’s legislative efforts and goals, technical safety and other topics.