Meet the Crew!
Jonathan French
Co-Owner of Top Tier Bourbon Tours
Jon brings more than 10 years of bourbon and tourism experience to the company. Born and raised in Kentucky, Jon developed his passion for the industry during early back-road distillery trips and later while working with Bulleit. His palate leans toward high-rye, high-proof, and oak-forward profiles, and he’s known for offering thoughtful insights on bourbon history, production, and single barrels.
Traveling Bourbon Enthusiasts inspired him to build Top Tier Bourbon Tours on one principle: every visitor should walk away with something unexpected — a new bottle, a new memory, or a deeper appreciation for Kentucky bourbon. He loves when former guests reach out to share additions to their collections, especially those who didn’t consider themselves collectors until he guided them.
Outside of touring, Jon is an avid cigar enthusiast, marathon runner, golf lover, and occasional karaoke singer — his go-to is “Whiskey in the Jar” by Thin Lizzy. His approach to hospitality is rooted in Southern warmth: creating meaningful experiences, helping guests discover new favorites, and ensuring every person feels like part of the Top Tier family.
His advice for first-timers on the Bourbon Trail? Come with an open mind, no fixed opinions, and drink bourbon the way that makes you happiest.
Mike Daley
Co-Owner of Top Tier Bourbon Tours
Mike didn’t grow up in Kentucky bourbon country, but he came into the world of whiskey with the kind of passion and flair most folks only see in legends. Over the years he has built one of the largest private whiskey collections in the United States — thousands of bottles spanning Scotch, American, and Irish whiskies, tucked away across estates and even tucked into drawers and beach-house corners when shelf space ran out.
His collection isn’t just about volume though — Mike’s a believer in whiskey as art, history, and story. In 2024 he made headlines when he dropped $2.8 million on an ultra-rare 30-year-old Irish whiskey set, one of only seven ever made — complete with a handcrafted decanter, a bespoke Fabergé egg, a custom timepiece, and vintage cigars. That bold move captures Mike’s philosophy: collect what’s rare, taste what’s exceptional, and never settle for the ordinary.
Expect the unexpected, the rare, the unforgettable.
