Whiskey Guardian Profile: Ryan Easterly
When the industry is in your blood, you never really leave. Throughout high school, college and the Air Force, Ryan Easterly managed to keep one foot in the business. With 22 years of industry experience, he’s never strayed far. Groomed under Randy Rayburn, one of Nashville’s prominent independent restaurateurs, Ryan tested for his first level sommelier at the CIA in Napa during 2005. He’s been directly involved in the operation, execution and development of several of Nashville’s hottest spots and has worked with charities like L’ete du Vin, Nashville’s Table, Second Harvest and the Lymphoma & Leukemia Society.
Since first tasting Angel’s Envy, Ryan has been one of our biggest advocates throughout Tennessee and Kentucky. Under his direction, Ryan’s establishment became the number one Angel’s Envy on-premises retailer in the country. When he asked Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson what else he could do for the brand, we immediately hired him as Nashville’s Guardian. We’re excited to bring his passion and experience to one of the greatest cities in the south. If you’re in Nashville, keep an eye out for Ryan. He drives a custom truck named the “Ghetto Sled.” In his words, the stereo system will “detach your retinas.” He’s hard to miss and he just might buy you a drink.
