Paul Coughlin
Paul is the founder and driving force behind Taconic Distillery. An avid outdoorsman and bourbon aficionado, Paul is one of Taconic’s primary brand ambassadors. In 1964, the same year he was born, a resolution of the U.S. Congress recognized bourbon whiskey as “America’s Native Spirit.”
With a passion for the outdoors and the desire to work the land, the Coughlin family purchased what is now known as Rolling Hills Farm in Stanfordville, NY. The Farm’s corn fields and natural spring water became the inspiration for Taconic Distillery’s entrance to Dutchess County’s local agribusiness market.
Paul earned a B.A. from Georgetown University, where he was a member of the lacrosse and hockey teams. He is a three-time Ironman triathlon finisher and competed several times in the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim.
Carol Ann Coughlin
Carol Ann is Taconic Distillery’s Chief Mixologist. When developing a recipe, she uses the tasting notes in the spirit as a jumping-off point and complements them with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Fresh fruits, flavorful syrups and tasty infusions combine with our Bourbon or Rye to produce festive cocktails for every season. Inventive, delicious cocktails bring her guests such pleasure that Carol Ann finds making drinks as much fun as drinking them!
When she’s not behind the bar, Carol Ann can be found running or biking in the rolling hills of Dutchess County. She holds a BA from Hartwick College and an MBA from New York University.
Sean O’Donnell
Sean O’Donnell was born and raised in Long Island, New York. As a well respected, industry veteran with a passion for spirits and brand building, Sean has worked for Brown Forman, The Absolut Spirits Company and The Phillips Distilling Company in various sales and marketing roles. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, boating, skiing and most importantly his family.
Sean earned his Bachelors of Science in Marketing at the College of Business Management at Long Island University, CW Post Campus.
Sean’s fundamentals and those of Taconic Distillery align perfectly. Create great tasting, authentic products, respect and nurture the environment, give back to your community.
Grace, Kathryn and Christina Coughlin.
When not studying at school, they can be found bottling, doing events and helping at the tasting room.
Copper
Our foxhound, Copper, is named after the color of our delicious bourbon and rye.
In the 1650’s, the foxhound set foot on the Crown Colonies for the first time. Robert Brooke, an English hunter, who was looking for a fresh start in the New World, brought the breed here. The Brooke family settled in New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley.
Upon its arrival in America, the foxhound quickly became known for its incredible sense of smell and its musical howl that can be heard for miles. Almost 100 years later, George Washington, a whiskey maker well before he was our first President, purchased his foxhound from descendants of the Brooke family.
When the 18th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, commonly known as The Volstead Act, went into effect on January 16, 1920, the now American foxhound and his howl became instrumental tools in the illegal distillation of spirits. While it was now illegal to produce or sell alcohol, the profit potential was enormous.
Bootleggers began to use the American foxhound as a scout to protect against Government Agents and the hounds were trained to howl when they approached. This gave bootleggers time to hide or move the moonshine. It is no wonder that the foxhound is credited with bringing the phrase “Man’s Best Friend” to the New World.