Larry Emdur's whisky brand appoints CEO

Former Lyre’s Global CMO and Sullivans Cove Executive Kristy Bloomfield has been appointed CEO of The Ben Buckler Whisky Company.

Founded by media personality Larry Emdur, The Ben Buckler has quickly evolved into a distinctive player within the premium whisky category, combining its modern Australian coastal identity with award-winning craft distilling. The appointment of experienced executive Bloomfield as Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder will help to guide the company through its next phase of expansion.

The story behind the brand is as unexpected as its success. “I originally just wanted to make 60 bottles of whisky for 60 mates for my 60th birthday,” said Emdur. “It was never supposed to become a business — it was genuinely just a fun thing to do with friends. Then suddenly people started asking where they could buy it, venues wanted to stock it and before we knew it, this little side project had completely taken on a life of its own.”

The brand has already secured national distribution through Paramount Liquor and ALM Connect, alongside premium placements across leading venues in Sydney and Melbourne and retail ranging including Heinemann Duty Free. Internationally, it has secured four Gold medals across global spirits competitions including San Francisco and China.

Bloomfield said The Ben Buckler’s appeal lies in the rare authenticity behind the brand.

“What Larry has created is incredibly genuine,” she said. “The Ben Buckler doesn’t feel manufactured or overly corporate. It began with a real story, real friendships and a real passion for creating something great. That authenticity is incredibly powerful, particularly in today’s premium spirits landscape.”

“The brand already has exceptional foundations — from the product itself to the cultural relevance and consumer engagement around it. The opportunity now is to scale that thoughtfully and strategically both within Australia and internationally.”

Images: Supplied