Christy Pruitt-Haynes, The Whiskey and Cigar Chic
Media and PR information
Creating brand enthusiasts by making Premium Spirits & Cigars Accessible, Authentic & Unforgettable
Meet the Founder
Christy Pruitt-Haynes
Christy Pruitt-Haynes is revolutionizing how people experience bourbon, whiskey, and premium cigars. As founder of The Whiskey and Cigar Chic, she combines deep industry expertise with authentic storytelling to make premium spirits and cigars accessible, exciting, and welcoming to diverse audiences — from first-time sippers to seasoned connoisseurs.
Featured in Forbes, CNN Business, and Business Insider, Christy is a sought-after speaker, brand ambassador, and educator who bridges tradition with modern, inclusive experiences. Her work doesn't just educate — it transforms the culture around premium spirits and cigars, opening the door for communities that have historically been underrepresented in this world.
Recognized Excellence
Forbes Featured
TEDx Speaker
Executive Bourbon Steward
Credentials & Expertise
Industry-Certified. Stage-Tested. Deeply Credentialed.
Christy's qualifications span the full spectrum of premium spirits and cigar culture, backed by the industry's most respected credentialing bodies and associations.
Executive Bourbon Steward
Stave & Thief Society — the gold standard in bourbon education and stewardship
Certified Bourbon Professional
Council of Whiskey Masters — rigorous professional certification in whiskey mastery
Certified Cigar Sommelier Tobacconist
Tobacconist University — the premier credential in premium cigar education
Keynote Speaker
Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Jim Beam Institute & TEDx — stages that matter
Tennessee Ambassador
Bourbon Women's Association — championing women's voices in the bourbon industry statewide
Podcast Co-Host & Guest
Co-host on two whiskey-focused podcasts; frequent guest on others across the industry
Brand Partnership Opportunities
Ways to Engage:
The Whiskey and Cigar Chic
Whether you're a distillery, spirits brand, event organizer, or luxury hospitality group, Christy brings credibility, charisma, and a loyal community to every collaboration.
Event Hosting, Festival Pouring & Brand Activation
Christy hosts, pours, and activates for brands at major spirits festivals, corporate gatherings, bourbon events, and lifestyle expos — bringing certified expertise, magnetic energy, and audience right to your stage, activation, or pour station. She tells your brand's story in a way that sticks.
Strategy & Brand Ambassador Relationships
Long-term ambassador partnerships that go far beyond a single post or typical ambassador relationship. Christy becomes a genuine extension of your organization — showing up consistently across consulting engagements, content, events, and community conversations.
VIP Tasting & Private Experience Hosting
Christy designs and hosts curated VIP tasting experiences — from intimate bourbon flights to full whiskey and cigar pairing dinners. Every detail is elevated, intentional, and unforgettable.
Barrel Picks & Selection Collaborations
Christy brings her Executive Bourbon Steward credentials and palate to collaborative barrel selection experiences — identifying and story-telling around exceptional single barrels for your brand or private client.
Sponsored Content & Social Campaigns
Targeted sponsored content, product spotlights, and campaign collaborations built around Christy's authentic voice. From launch videos to ongoing series, her content converts because her audience trusts her.
Speaking Engagements that Educate and Entertain
Keynotes and panel discussions that change how people work and play. A TEDx speaker trusted by Fortune 500 brands, featured at Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and the only speaker able to pair strategy with bourbon.

Custom packages available. Every partnership is tailored to your brand's goals, audience, and timeline. Reach out to explore what's possible.
Proven Impact
Results That Speak for Themselves
Christy's work consistently delivers measurable results — for brands, venues, and communities alike.
20%+
Attendance Growth
Increased female spending at a bourbon bar through targeted programming and outreach
7.7%
Follower Surge
Grew a brand's Instagram following in just 2 hours after a single authentic post
1,000s
Educated
Individuals educated through live tastings, curated experiences, and digital content
27%
Increase in Direct Sales
Generated for a micro-brand partner within 2 hours of a single post going live
Social Reach & Influence
38,800+ Engaged Followers Across Platforms
Platform Breakdown
25.5K
Instagram
@thewhiskeyandcigarchic
13.3K
TikTok
@thewhiskeyandcigarchic
Youtube and a dedicated Podcast coming soon.
Content Performance Highlights
1.2M+ Views
On a single post — the Bourbon Infinity Bottle
106K+ Likes
On that same breakthrough post
160K+ Accounts Reached
Organic reach across platforms
204K+ Views
In the last 30 days alone
"Christy's video on New Dawn's 6-year-old bourbon is the ONLY video/post on ANY social media channel that correlated with direct growth and sales. We saw a 7.7% increase in follower growth in just one day — really, hours — after her post... Her post immediately (within 2 hours of posting) translated into five direct sales, bringing in around $500. Christy speaks honestly and authentically to her followers which has definitely made her a trusted source in the whiskey community."
— Dr. Dawn O'Neal, Founder & CEO, New Dawn Distilling
Signature Speaking Topics
Presentations That Move Audiences to Action
From intimate brand activations to large-scale conference stages, Christy delivers engaging, educational, and emotionally resonant presentations. Every session is tailored to the brand, audience, and moment.
Bourbon, Whiskey & Cigar Education & Trends
From grain to glass to ring gauge — Christy breaks down the world of premium spirits and cigars with wit, depth, and accessibility that resonates with every audience level.
Women & Diverse Communities in Whiskey Culture
A passionate advocate for inclusivity, Christy explores how whiskey culture is evolving — and how brands and communities can lead that change with authenticity and intention.
Building Inclusive Premium Experiences
Christy shows event organizers and brand managers how to design tastings, activations, and experiences that feel elevated yet welcoming to everyone in the room.
Brand Development & Authentic Storytelling
Drawing from her own brand journey and media features, Christy shares frameworks for building brand credibility and authentic audience connection in the premium lifestyle space.
Leadership & Professional Development
Beyond spirits, Christy brings lessons in culture transformation, entrepreneurship, personal brand authority, and leadership to corporate and professional audiences seeking transformational perspectives.
Why Book Christy?
The Complete Package for Premium Brand Experiences
Nationally Certified
Certified in bourbon, whiskey & cigars by the industry's most respected credentialing bodies — the Stave & Thief Society, Council of Whiskey Masters, and Tobacconist University.
Proven Social Impact
38,800+ engaged followers across Instagram and TikTok, with content that has generated over 1.2 million views on a single post and measurable, real-world sales results for brand partners.
Media-Validated Authority
Featured in Forbes, CNN Business, and Business Insider — the kind of third-party validation that builds instant credibility with any audience, from boardrooms to bourbon bars.
Authentic Storyteller
Christy doesn't just present — she connects. Her authentic voice drives real, measurable results because her audience trusts her, and that trust transfers directly to the brands she champions.
Experience Curator
Christy is able to create events and experiences that participants, organizations, and planners are talking about months later, in the best possible way. Creating an event is easy. Perfecting an experience is magical.
World-Class Stage Presence
A TEDx speaker with a track record on major stages including the Kentucky Bourbon Festival and Jim Beam Institute — Christy commands any room with authority and warmth.
Let's Connect
Let's Create Something Unforgettable
Whether you're planning a flagship brand event, a corporate tasting experience, or looking for a speaker who will genuinely move your audience — Christy Pruitt-Haynes is ready to bring her expertise, passion, and proven impact to your next engagement.
Email
Christy@TheWhiskeyAndCigarChic.com
Phone
615-212-5263
Social
@thewhiskeyandcigarchic
on Instagram & TikTok
Email Christy