ATCHISON, Kan., March 1, 2012—Barry Younkie has joined MGP Ingredients, Inc. (MGP) as beverage alcohol sales manager for the company’s distillery segment. In assuming the role, his focus will be on the commercialization of MGP’s recently added premium bourbons and whiskeys. The company’s world-class beverage alcohol operation is committed to providing the highest quality products and possesses expertise in developing customized formulations tailored to customer specifications for a wide range of consumer branded products.

“I am very pleased to have Barry join our sales team as we launch new beverage alcohol product offerings in the brown goods industry,” said David Dykstra, MGP vice president of alcohol sales and marketing.  “Barry’s extensive marketing experience in the bourbon industry will help us better serve our customers, while also assisting us in growing this area of our business.”

Just prior to joining MGP, Younkie served as an independent consultant to the beverage alcohol industry. He has over 25 years of alcohol marketing experience, working for companies such as Beam Global Spirits and Wine, Louisville, Ky., Allied Domecq Spirits and Wine USA, Westport, Conn., Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd., Windsor, Ontario, Canada, The Mark Anthony Group, FBM Distillery (Bacardi) Ltd., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Robin Hood Multifoods, Inc., Toronto, Ontario, and Montréal, Québec, Canada. Younkie led the marketing strategies for Maker’s Mark, Canadian Club, Ballantine’s Scotch, Laphroaig Single Malt Whisky, Beefeater Gin, Bacardi and McGuinness Spirits brands in his previous roles.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in my new capacity at MGP Ingredients,” Younkie said. “I have long been familiar with MGP’s leadership role in being a liquid partner source in vodka and gin, and now adding blended and bourbon whiskey provides existing and new customers with even more high quality spirits.  I look forward to performing a key role in serving customer requirements, while helping grow this component of MGP’s business in the U.S. and around the world.”

Younkie is a graduate of the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, where he received an honors bachelor of commerce degree in marketing and finance in 1984. He received his master’s degree in business administration in 1998 from Bellarmine University, Louisville, Ky.

About MGP Ingredients, Inc.

In business since 1941, MGP Ingredients, Inc. is a recognized pioneer in the development and production of value-added, grain-based starches, proteins and food-grade alcohol products for the branded packaged goods industry. The Company’s facilities in Atchison, Kan., Onaga, Kan, and at its newest site located in the adjoined towns of Lawrenceburg and Greendale, Ind., are dedicated to utilizing the latest technologies and innovations to assure high quality products and to maintain efficient production and service capabilities. For more information, visit www.mgpingredients.com.