J. KIP GIVENS

J. Kip Givens is an author, ordained minister, and Certified Whiskey Professional whose work explores the intersection of history, culture, and faith. With formal training and certifications from the Council of Whisky Masters, the Stave & Thief Society, and Whiskey University—where he also serves as an instructor—Kip brings both technical expertise and storytelling depth to the world of whiskey.

Rooted in a Christ-centered, Trinitarian perspective, his theological work emphasizes the finished work of Christ and the freedom of grace over religious striving. This foundation shapes his writing, offering a lens through which tradition, community, and the human experience can be understood with clarity and purpose.

Kip has served as a Youth Pastor, Assistant Pastor, Senior Pastor and planted a couple churches geared towards reaching culture through music and the arts. He has served as Master Whiskey Taster at Sideshow Spirits in Lincoln, Nebraska, and is currently with Backroads Distilling Co. in LaOtto, Indiana. Whether writing about whiskey or theology, Givens approaches both with a deep respect for history and a desire to uncover the meaning behind what we often take for granted.