Perfecting the sweetest science since 1992

The Flavorman Himself
Flavorman and Distilled Spirits Epicenter founder David Dafoe is one of the country’s foremost authorities on flavor. Recognizing the need for technical innovation in the beverage industry, Dave created a company that specializes in the technical side of beverage development. His insistence on setting the highest standards for research, quality, and client support has made Flavorman a trend-setting force. Flavorman’s unique, collaborative approach to client relationships sets it apart in a competitive industry.
Our Story
Our Story
“Making a beverage is hard. We know; we do it every day.”
Ask Dave Dafoe about the strangest drink he’s ever made, and the answer will fall somewhere between sushi moonshine and green bean casserole soda. “We can get dead-on with these things, and we like the challenge. But they tasted horrible.” It is true. Most people do not like to drink their favorite meal. These novelty flavor requests come mostly from hosts of national television shows like Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods” and Discovery Channel’s “Moonshiners”, and Flavorman is always up to the challenge.
A graduate of Miami University in Ohio, Dave launched his career in Louisville, Kentucky at Brown-Forman Corporation, developing some of the global spirits giant’s biggest brands. In the early 1990s he struck out on his own, starting a modest beverage development consulting company with the unique mission of helping clients from start through finish®. Dave’s first customer? Chiquita Brands.
As word spread about Flavorman’s innovative approach and collaborative methods, companies like Ocean Spray, Sunsweet Growers, and Kellogg started calling. Dave worked hard to assemble a specialized team of experts in beverage product development to keep up with orders and expand Flavorman’s services.
“We don’t see it as working for our clients; we work with them to develop their product and get it through production.”
Though developing drinks behind major brands for global companies is a gateway to notoriety, client confidentiality is integral to Flavorman’s excellent reputation in the industry. Flavorman makes custom beverages for clients. Many of those clients prefer not to disclose who does their beverage development work, and that is a decision Dave wholly respects and supports. “So even though I can’t tell you most of the drinks we’ve developed, I can guarantee you’ve enjoyed something we’ve made.”
Beverage entrepreneurs have always been the cornerstone of Flavorman’s success. No one understands the passion, vision, and risk involved in starting a company better than Dave, and he takes great pride in structuring Flavorman’s services to walk clients through the technical ins and outs of developing and manufacturing the product that will be the foundation of their business.
“We have established our business model so that our success is entirely tied up in our clients’ success.”
With a passion for making great beverages, the Flavorman team brings the best of both science and art to every project. Their total teamwork and collaborative approach has been key in differentiating Flavorman as a pioneer in beverage innovation, speed-to-market, and exemplary service.
Some of the world’s leading food and beverage companies, along with hundreds of entrepreneurs, have turned to Flavorman for beverage development. What began as a one-man consulting firm in the early 1990s has grown into an international full-service beverage development company providing both large and small clients with all the expertise they need to bring a beverage to market – from concept development to manufacturing planning and quality control.
The Beverage Campus











Leadership + Team : Your Team

David Dafoe
Owner + CEO

Scott
Chief Operating Officer

Jon
Chief Business Officer

Kristen
Chief Technical Officer

Peter
Chief Strategy Officer

Holly
Chief Financial Officer

Brad
Director, Business Development

Tom
Director, Flavor Architect

Matt
Director, Relationship Architect

Colin
Director of Spirits Education

Katie
Director, Research & Development

Chris
Director, Production

Cory
Key Projects Manager

Kadeja
Lab Manager

Matt
Internal Quality Manager

Walter
Flavor Development - Flavor Quality

Scott
Inventory Specialist

Chris
Production Supervisor

Chris
Production Specialist

Evel
Shipping & Receiving Coordinator

Michael
Regulatory Manager

Dorian
Flavor Compounder

Steven
Special Projects Manager

Jordan
Marketing Manager

Daniel
Videographer

Kevin
Corporate Development

Clay
Distillery Operations Manager

Lindsey
Registrar

Anthony
Blending Specialist

Lauren
Business Development Specialist

Spencer
Business Development Specialist

Stephen
Associate Beverage Architect - Key Projects

Tyler
Beverage Architect

Gary
Quality Technician

Stacey
Associate Relationship Architect

Evan
Associate Relationship Architect

Cindy
Manager, Business Services

Jicorey
Purchasing Manager

Shelley
Executive Assistant

Cristene
Associate Beverage Architect - Key Projects

Jason
Class Coordinator

Stephanie
Salesforce Architect

Mark
Manager of Analytical Services

Monica
Beverage Architect

Patrick
External Quality Technician

Tolman
Associate Beverage Architect - Special Projects

Chase
Blending Technician

Michael
Blending Specialist

Adam
Associate Beverage Architect

James
Human Resources

Rowan
Graphic Designer

Zach
Blending Specialist

Cole
Blending Technician

Roxanne
Administrative Assistant

Matt
Production Support Specialist

Hanna
Shelf Life Coordinator

Jose
Facilities Conservator

Cindy
Full Charge Bookkeeper

Jimmy
Internal Quality Technician
