Thom Smyth

Leiper’s Fork whiskey is on the shelf at prestigious London bars, including Milroy’s, and this May, general manager Thom Smyth is jetting across the pond for a month-long residency in Downtown Franklin. 

 Photo provided

A renowned London bartender will now grace Franklin's Main Street with his craft. 

Thom Smyth is jetting across the pond for a month-long residency in downtown Franklin as general manager of Milroy of Soho, known as London's Original Whisky Specialist. 

Pouring sippers from around the world since 1964, Milroy's of Soho has become a destination for travelers and whiskey aficionados, and has been instrumental in getting American spirits in front of an international audience.

Now, they can find that same style at the Leiper's Fork Distillery with the guest bartender-in-residence at Leiper's Fork House of Spirits on Main Street beginning May 1. 

Leiper’s Fork whiskey is on the shelf at prestigious London bars, including Milroy’s. A rugby career cut short by his shoulders sent him behind the bar, and it didn’t take long for him to fancy whiskey. 

"I grew up in Offaly, Ireland," Smyth said. "It's next to nowhere, but nowhere has a higher population." 

He moved to London, worked at the celebrated Milk & Honey, and spent his off hours drinking at Milroy's until the bar manager told him there was a job if he wanted it. That was six years ago, and today, he's the general manager.

"Patience is a virtue," he said.

The partnership will go beyond a specialty menu to include meet-and-greet sessions, live Irish music, storytelling panels hosted by Leiper’s Fork Distillery founder and proprietor Lee Kennedy, plus a cocktail-making class and fireside cigar night open to the community.

“Heritage and tradition have always been at the heart of what we do at Leiper’s Fork Distillery,” Kennedy said, noting Tennessee whiskey originated from Scots-Irish settlers. “We make our small-batch whiskey out of a 200-year-old log cabin on family land, using grain harvested from our farm. Thom, being a renowned barman at an international institution, furthers our commitment to honoring the spirit’s long history.” 

Events 

  • May 7 – Meet and greet with Thom
  • May 14 – Irish Songs and Stories
  • May 21 – How to Build a Cocktail, An Evening with Thom Smyth (Upstairs 6-7:30 p.m.) 
  • May 21 – Traditional Irish Music Session (Downstairs 7-9 p.m.)May 29 – Fireside Chat Cigar Night at Leiper's Fork Distillery (Main Campus)