Judge Dismisses Former Bardstown Bourbon Co. Executive’s Lawsuit Against Whistleblower

(Photo: Bardstown Bourbon Co.)

A defamation lawsuit filed by a former Bardstown Bourbon Company executive against a whistleblower has been dismissed, marking a legal win for the defense in an ongoing dispute tied to allegations of workplace misconduct at the Kentucky distiller.

Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Julie Kaelin dismissed the case on June 12, according to court records reported on by the Lexington Herald-Leader. The lawsuit had been brought by former Bardstown Bourbon Co. Chief Commercial Officer Herb Heneman.

The court also ordered Heneman to pay court costs to former human resources vice president Sylvia Sanders, who had been named in related allegations.

Heneman’s lawsuit stemmed from claims that statements included in Sanders’ separate discrimination lawsuit against the company were false and damaging to his reputation. He was not a party to that underlying case.

Sanders previously filed a discrimination and retaliation lawsuit in Nelson County Circuit Court, accusing Bardstown Bourbon Company, its parent Lofted Spirits and several associated executives and investors of gender discrimination and retaliation.

In that filing, Sanders alleged she was fired after raising concerns internally about workplace conduct and broader patterns of bias against female executives.

Her complaint also referenced prior internal allegations involving Heneman, including claims that a former marketing director described him in complaints to management and that other employees raised concerns about his behavior. Heneman has denied all allegations.

Sanders’ lawsuit also described internal incidents and leadership decisions at the company that she alleged reflected retaliation against employees who raised concerns.

In her ruling, Judge Kaelin found that the disputed allegations were central to Sanders’ discrimination and retaliation claims, not incidental and therefore could not be treated as irrelevant or improperly included in the case record.

The court also noted that a related motion to strike similar allegations had previously been rejected at the circuit court level.

While Heneman’s defamation claims have now been dismissed, the broader legal dispute involving Bardstown Bourbon Company and its parent organization remains ongoing in Kentucky courts, including other related filings that are still active.

Bardstown Bourbon Company and Lofted Spirits are part of Pritzker Private Capital. Litigation involving related parties in the broader dispute continues to move through the court system.