Ian Friedman
National brand ambassador / luxco
Ian Friedman, originally from Queens, New York, and grew up on the south shore of Long Island in Oceanside, NY. He holds a BFA in Film Studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder (2003). Ian’s career in entertainment began as an NBC Page and news producer. Seeking a more traditional entertainment path, he moved to Los Angeles and joined the William Morris Agency as an Assistant and department Coordinator. His journey continued at Comedy Central, where he worked in Content Development, eventually becoming VP of Programming and Development. Notable projects included “Brickleberry” and the Emmy-nominated “Drunk History.”
But Ian’s story doesn’t stop there—his passion for Bourbon and Single Malt whiskey blossomed over nearly two decades. He explored over 50 distilleries in Scotland and numerous others in the US, savoring the artistry behind each spirit. Ian became infatuated with the entire process of whiskey making: from the careful selection of grains and distillation techniques to the aging process in oak barrels. His palate evolved as he sampled various expressions, appreciating the intricate flavors and nuances in every glass. His old friend from the entertainment world, Michael Paladini, had started a whiskey brand in 2018 named Penelope Bourbon. Ian and Mike had stayed in touch through the years following each other’s careers. Connecting on their shared love of Bourbon, Mike asked Ian to come on board to help continue Penelope’s massive growth and popularity in the Western US as a brand advocate. In June of 2024, Ian transitioned to a full-time role as National Brand Ambassador at Luxco.
Bartender’s Circle Summit Session:
Penelope Bourbon Brand Education and Cocktail Competition
Date: Tuesday, March 4th, 2025
Time: 12:00PM
Location: LOFT2