Past, Present and Future of the Flavor Industry
October 23-25
The Resort at Longboat Key Club
Longboat Key, Fla.
Expert, Engaging Speakers:
Ryan Kukuruzovic, Wixon
Wayne Lewis, Tastepoint by IFF
Jason Lawrence and Dr. Mark Sprowl, Flavorman
Amy Marks-McGee, Trendincite
Justin J. Prochnow, Greenberg Traurig
Patrick McNamara, Weiner Law Group
Albert Fogel, Prodalim
Dr. Robert Kryger, Florida Polytechnic University
Presentation Highlight:
Spirit-Based RTDs
As the RTD retail space continues to evolve, product developers are faced with increasingly varied requests for spirits-based beverages whose goals are to build upon the sensory profile of their base spirit with a complementary flavor aimed to appeal to consumers who might not otherwise consume the parent spirit. The product developer, then, must take into account the aroma compounds present in their base spirit as well as the impact those aroma compounds have on the user. To that end, Flavorman and Moonshine University present a study that explores and correlates the interplay of aroma compounds present in bourbon and how their relative concentrations can lead to big changes in the sensory experience of these bourbons; all with the goal of answering this question: What is the best flavor to build on this spirit?
Dr. Mark Sprowl After completing his doctoral studies in inorganic chemistry, Mark chose to start an analytical chemistry business servicing the spirits, hemp and e-liquids industries. This morphed into Mark growing, extracting, and purifying hemp for high-quality oils and isolates. After a sharp market contraction, Mark landed at Flavorman where he heads up the analytics department analyzing flavors, finished beverages, raw materials, grading spirits for distillers and developing any number of tests for specialty needs. If you ask nicely, Mark will probably drink a beer with you.
Jason Lawrence is the general manager of Moonshine University and the Stave and Thief Society. After many years of living and working in New York City, he returned to his hometown of Louisville in 2020 and joined the Moonshine University team as Class Coordinator in 2021. Jason quickly expanded from coordinating and facilitating to teaching, providing sensory services, and crafting classes and experiences. He took over as the General Manager in 2024. Jason has a background in economics and music performance, and when he’s not teaching, doing sensory, or designing experiences, he’s often making music as a songwriter or multi-instrumentalist.
