The Intoxicologist Is In

People talk about staying true to American products, but when was the last time you took a good hard look at the liquid spirits being distilled at the grassroots level in the United States?  Sure, there are excellent American spirits made by fine American brands that we see on liquor store shelves on a daily basis.  These are promoted by companies that have been around for decades and have made their mark in the consciousness of the consumer through years of hard work.  If I named a few they would be instantly recognizable for quality and intelligent marketing.  These spirits are on my site on any given day.  I sample them, write about them and keep them in my liquor cabinet by choice.

 

But the grassroots spirits I am referring to are the ones brought to us by way of the American micro-distiller; members of the American Distilling Institute (ADI).

 

Something is happening across the nation that revolutionizes the spirit industry at its foundation.  Men and women with an intense passion for the craft of distilling lay their heart, soul and sometimes economic future on the line every day for the entire purpose of blending the ideal liquid spirit.  These small companies run by sometimes one or two people create a variety of spirits too numerous to mention in a single breath.  Their creations and blends are no less valuable or quality driven than big name brands.  What the small micro-distillers lack is name recognition and the funding of big name companies to help market their product.  These niche spirits have the advantage of creativity that expands the scope of what the liquor industry has to offer not only to the American people, but the world.  At the same time, the position of the micro-distiller is limited with a playing field that is rather small due to their disadvantage of a small market reach.

 

The American Distilling Institute endeavors to change the landscape for the micro-distiller through instruction and support.  Sunday, April 5, 2009, ADI gathers together the American micro-distillers by way of hosts, Jorg Rupf and Lance Winter of St. George Spirits/Hangar One Distillery.  Come join the micro-distillers of America for an open to the public “Meet the Maker” session at the Hangar One facility.  Here you will meet forty of the 156 craft distillers in the United States.  These craft distilleries will pour their best artisanal whiskies, brandies, rums, gins, vodkas, absinthes and unique liqueurs for you to sample.  Come taste the spirit of America – Come out to “Meet the Maker”.

 

“Meet the Maker”

Craft Spirits Festival

40 Craft Distilleries Pour their Best Artisanal One-of-a-kind Spirits

St. George Spirits/Hangar One Distillery

2601 Monarch St., Alameda, CA

1:00 – 4:00PM

 

·         High Spirits Distillery – Products: Prickly Pear and American Vodka – www.arizonahighspirits.com

·         Tombstone Spirits and Brewery – www.tombstonespirits.com

·         Anchor Distilling – Hotaling Whiskey, Junipero Gin, and Old Potrero Straight Rye Whiskey – www.anchorbrewing.com

·         Ballast Point Spirits – Whiskey, Rum & Gin – www.ballastpoint.com

·         Distillery 209 – 209 5xd Gin – www.distillery209.com

·         DiVittorio Winery Distillery – Custom blend: Port style wines, liqueurs, eau de vies and calvados – www.divittoriowinery.com

·         Domaine Charbay – Vodkas, Grappa di Marko, Nostalgie walnut liqueur, Pastis, Charbay Rum, Tahitian Vanilla Bean Rum, Hop Flavored Whiskey and Charbay Whiskey – www.charbay.com

·         Essential Spirits – Classick Grappas: Briarstone’00, Briarstone ’02, Stagsleap’01, Rutherford ’02, Stagsleap ‘04; Gold and Silver Hawaiian Rums; DH Krahn Gin – www.essentialspirits.com

·         Germain-Robin – Select Barrel XO, Single Barrel Pinot Noir and Colombard grape brandies, Anno Domini, Old Havana and Shareholders’ Reserve Brandy – www.germain-robin.com

·         Jepson Vineyards – Rare Brandy, Signature Reserve Brandy, Old Stock Brandy – www.jepsonwine.com

·         Modern Spirits – Vodkas, including Black Truffle, Candied Ginger, Celery, Popcorn, Chocolate Orange, Grapefruit Honey, Pear Lavender and tea – www.modernspiritsvodka.com

·         Mosby Winery – Grappa di Traminer Brandy, Distillato di Prugne Brandy, Acqua di Lampone Brandy – www.mosbywines.com

·         Osocalis Distillery – Rare Alambic Brandy – www.osocalis.com

·         Pioneer Spirits – Whiskey and Bourbon – www.pioneerspirits.com

·         Skyrocket Distillers, LLC – JB Wagoner’s Ultra Premium 100% Blue Agave Spirits. First domestic “tequila” in the USA – www.skyrocketdistillers.com

·         St. George Spirits – Hangar One Vodka, St. George Single Malt Whiskey, De Profundis 20-Year-Old Bartlett Pear Brandy, Heirloom Apple Brandy, Aqua Perfecta Pear, Raspberry, and Cherry Kirsch Eau de vie, Aqua Perfecta Zinfandel Grappa, Aqua Perfecta Raspberry Liqueur, Pear Liqueur – www.stgeorgespirits.com

·         St. James Spirits – St. James Spirits Pineapple Brandy, Royale Hawaiian Pineapple Rum, “Mojo” Lime Vodka, St. James Spirits Kirsch Brandy, “California Gold Agave” Tequila, “Peregrine Rock” Whisky, St. James Spirits Zinfandel Grappa – www.saintjamesspirits.com

·         Stillwater Spirits – Vodka, gin, grappa, rum, whiskey and absinthe – www.stillwaterspirits.com

 

·         Colorado Gold Distillery – Corn Whiskey, Bourbon Whiskey, Vodka and Gin – www.coloradogolddistillery.com

·         Colorado Pure Distilling – Handcrafted Spirits and Exclusive Brands. Small batches of vodka for companies, restaurants and individuals – www.coloradopuredistilling.com

·         Leopold Bros. – American Small Batch Gin and Vodka. Rocky Mountain:Blackberry, Peach and Apple flavored Whiskey, New York Sour Apple Liqueur, Rocky Mountain Blackberry, Peach, Three Pins Alpine and New England Cranberry Liqueurs – www.leopoldbros.com

·         Montanya Distilling Co. – White and dark rum – www.montanyadistillers.com

·         Peach Street Distillers – Jack and Jenny Pear, Peach and Plum Brandies, Goat Vodka, Colorado Gin and Bourbon – www.peachstreetdistillers.com

·         Peak Spirits – Organic gin, vodka, eau de vies, brandies and grappa – www.peakspirits.com

·         Roundhouse Spirits – www.roundhousespirits.com

·         Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey – Colorado whiskey – www.stranahans.com

·         Syntax Spirits – Vodka, Gin and flavored vodkas – www.syntaxspirits.com

·         Westford Hill Distillers – We produce 200 ml Pear William, Kirsch, Framboise, Fraise, a pear in a 750 ml. bottle we call Poire Prisonniere, and New World Aged Apple Brandy, which is in development – www.westfordhill.com

·         Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats – Restaurant and rum distillery – www.dogfish.com

·         Empire Winery & Distillery – Empire: V6 Vodka, Orangela, Limonela and Grappa Di Muscatto – www.empirewineryanddistillery.com

·         13th Colony Distillery – Vodka, gin and whiskey – www.13colony.net

·         Haleakala Distillery – Mo Betta Silvah, Gold, Dark, and Da Bomb Rum – www.haleakaladistillers.com

·         Kolani Distillers LLC – Kolani Rum, from locally grown sugar cane – www.kolanidistillers.com

·         Bardenay – Gin, dry gin, light rum and vodka from sugar cane. Lemon Vodka. Distillery Restaurant www.bardenay.com

·         Koenig Distillery& Winery – Cabernet Sauvignon Grappa; Apple, Peach, Pear, Plum, Cherry, Raspberry and Apricot Eau de vie; Famous Idaho Potato Vodka – www.koenigdistillery.com

·         Koval, Inc. – Brandy, rye vodka and liqueurs – www.koval-distillery.com

·         North Shore Distillery – Distiller’s Gin #6, North Shore Vodka, Tahitian Vanilla Vodka, Aquavit Private Reserve – www.northshoredistillery.com

·         Heartland Distillers – Indiana Vodka – www.heartlanddistillers.com

 

·         Huber Starlight Distillery – “Apple Infusion” brandy infused apple cider, “Blueberry Port” blueberry wine fortified with blueberry brandy, “Peach Nectar” Peach Schnapps, “Raspberry Infusion” Raspberry Brandy and “Starlight” Brandy – www.starlightdistillery.com

·         Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery – Clearheart Vodka, Cedar Ridge Grappa, Apple Brandy – www.crwine.com

·         Templeton Rye – Rye whiskey – www.templetonrye.com

·         High Plains Inc – Fox Vodka, Most Wanted Pioneer Whiskey and Kansas Bourbon Mash Whiskey – www.highplainsinc.com

·         Corsair Artisan – Whiskey – www.corsairartisan.com

·         Celebration Distillation Corporation – Crystal Rum, Amber 3 year Rum, Cajun Spice Rum – www.neworleansrum.com

·         Maine Distilleries – Cold River Vodka – www.coldrivervodka.com

·         Northern Maine Distilling Company – Vodka – www.twenty2vodka.com

·         Penobscot Bay Distillery – Whiskey, rum, fruit brandy, gin, bitters and vermouth – www.winterportwinery.com

·         Spirits of Maine Distillery – Pear, peach, honey eau de vies. Aged apple brandy. – www.bartlettwinery.com

·         Sweetgrass Farm Winery & Distillery – Back River Gin, Cranberry Gin, ThreeCrow Rum, apple brandy – www.sweetgrasswinery.com

·         Blackwater Distilling – Vodka – www.blackwaterdistilling.com

·         Nashoba Distillery – Foggy Bog Brandy, Nashoba Vodka, Cherry Eau de vie, Vidal Grappa, Raspberry eau de vie, Elephant Heart Plum-infused Brandy, Silk Peach Brandy, Apple Brandy, Elderberry Brandy, Baerenfang Fruit and Honey Blended Brandy, Northern Comfort Brandy, Johnny Hop Apple and Hop Flower-infused Brandy, Nashoba Single Malt Whiskey coming in ’09. – www.nashobawinery.com

·         Ryan & Wood, Inc. – Our corporate slogan is “The Spirit of Cape Ann”, producing Beauport Vodka, Folly Cove Rum – www.ryanandwood.com

·         Triple Eight Distillery – Established in 2000, Triple Eight Distillery is located on Nantucket Island. With help from- Cisco Brewers and Nantucket Vineyard, the produce: Vanilla, Cranberry and Orange Vodkas. Organic Vodka, Hurricane Rum, Gale Force Gin and “Notch” single malt Whiskey. – www.ciscobrewers.com

·         Black Star Farms – Eau de vie, grappa, Apple brandy. – www.blackstarfarms.com

·         Chateau Chantal Distillery – Cherry Eau de vie, “Cerise” Cherry Port – www.chateauchantal.com

·         Entente Spirits – Eau de vie, cordials of apple, apricot, black currant, raspberry, black cherry, blackberry, elderberry, grape, peach, plum, quince and pear. – www.roundbarnwinery.com

·         Grand Traverse Distillery – True North Vodka and cherry flavored vodka with chocolate notes. Rye grain is used for all – www.grandtraversedistillery.com

·         Hubbard’s Brandy House – Apple, Cherry, Grape, Peach, Pear Brandy. – www.coreylakeorchards.com

·         New Holland Brewing Co. – Rye and Wheat Whiskies, Duchess Brandy, Lemon, Orange, Pepper, Raspberry, Vanilla, and Juniper-infused Brandies – www.newhollandbrew.com

·         St. Julian Winery – Cherry, Pear, and Raspberry eau de vie; Brandy – www.stjulian.com

·         Uncle John’s Fruit House Winery – Apple spirits. – www.ujcidermill.com

·         The Stable – Whiskey, Rum & Vodka – www.amalgamatedbrewing.com

·         Square One Brewery and Distillery – Spirit of St. Louis Vodka – www.squareonebrewery.com

·         Rough Stock Distillery – Whiskey – www.montanawhiskey.com

·         The Las Vegas “Copper Angels” Distillery Co. – www.lasvegasdistillery.com

·         Flag Hill Distillery – General John Stark Vodka; Sugar Maple & Cranberry Liqueurs – www.flaghill.com

·         Don Quixote Distillery – www.dqdistillery.com

·         Copper Sea Distillery – A new, traditional methods craft distillery in New York’s Hudson Valley – www.coppersea.com

·         Delaware Phoenix Distillery – Absinthe – www.delawarephoenix.com

·         Finger Lakes Distilling – www.fingerlakesdistilling.com

 

·         Harvest Spirits – Vodka, Gin, Calvados and infused vodkas – www.harvestspirits.com

·         Hidden Marsh Distillery – Bee vodka, brandy & liqueurs – www.montezumawinery.com

·         Knapp Vineyards – Brandy, grappa, Ruby port, Cherry Avinac, Limoncello – www.knappwine.com

·         Lake Placid Spirits – Hand-crafted spirits distilled from local potatoes, apples and maple sap. Our gin contains Evergreen flavors from the Adirondacks. Our water is from Lake Placid. – www.lakeplacidspirits.com

·         Long Island Spirits – Liv Vodka – www.lispirits.com

·         Stoutridge Vineyard – Vodka made from grapes – www.stoutridge.com

·         Swedish Hill Vineyard – Brandy & fruit eau de vie – www.swedishhill.com

·         Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery – Heart of the Hudson Vodka, and triple-distilled “V” Vodka, made from 100% Hudson Valley apples; Old Gristmill Authentic American Corn Whiskey, unaged, made with Hudson Valley corn; Hudson Baby Bourbon. – www.tuthilltown.com

·         Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery – Distilled from fruit grown in Hudson Valley orchards: Grappa, Brandies, Apple and Pear Eau de Vie – www.wvwinery.com

·         Piedmont Distillers – Catdaddy Carolina Moonshine Junior Johnson’s Midnight Moon – www.piedmontdistillers.com

·         Outterson, LLC – Ohio’s only licensed pot still. A 238 gallon direct-fired gas still produces: Single barrel single malt, Brandy, Kosher Honey Brandy, Bourbon, Corn Whiskey, Distilled spirit specialties. – www.woodstonecreek.com

·         Tom’s Foolery – Applejack and aged apple brandy – www.tomsfoolery.com

·         Artisan Spirits – Vodka – www.artisan-spirits.com

·         Bendistillery – Gin, Diamond 100 Vodka, flavored Vodka liqueurs. Swanky Martinis is their downtown tasting bar serving drinks by the glass. – www.bendistillery.com

·         Brandy Peak Distillers – Brandy, grappa, pear eau de vie, and blackberry liqueur. – www.brandypeak.com

·         Cascade Peak Spirits Inc. – Organic vodka, fruits and hand-crafted spirits – www.cascadepeakspirits.com

·         Clear Creek Distillery – Pear, Pear in a Bottle, Apple, Kirsch, Plum, and Framboise eau de vie; Muscato, Gewurztraminer, Blanc Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Nebbiolo, and Sangiovese Grappa; Grape Brandy, Single Malt Whiskey. – www.clearcreekdistillery.com

·         Highball Distillery – ‘Elemental’ Vodka, organic vodka from scratch. – www.highballdistillery.com

·         House Spirits Distillery – Medoyeff Vodka, Genever- inspired Aviation Gin, Krogstad Aquavit, Rum, Whisk(e)y and an apothecary line of one-of-a-kind liquors available only at the distillery. – www.housespirits.com

·         Indio Spirits – Vodkas, Cricket Club Gin and importer of 8-year-old Snake River Stampede Canadian whiskey – www.indiospirits.com

 

·         Integrity Spirits – 12 Bridges gin, Lovejoy vodka, hazelnut vodka and Trillium absinthe. Rum and whiskey coming soon – www.integrityspirits.com

·         Liquid Ventures LLC – Vodka – www.liquidvodka.com

·         McMenamins Edgefield Distillery – Whiskey, Pear Brandy, Syrah Brandy, Vintners Gin, Coffee Liqueur – www.mcmenamins.com

·         New Deal Distillery – Portland 88, New Deal, Hot Monkey pepper-flavored vodkas. LOFT organic liqueurs. – www.newdealdistillery.com

·         Ransom Spirits – Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer Brandies and Gin – www.ransomspirits.com

·         Rogue Distillery – Dark and white rums, Hazelnut Spice Rum & Spruce Gin – www.roguespirits.com or www.rogue.com

·         Stringer Orchard Wild Plum Winery – Plum Brandy and Liqueurs made from hand-picked wild plums – www.stringersorchard.com

·         Philadelphia Distilling – Bluecoat American Gin. Batch distilled on a 1500L Forsyths pot still with certified organic botanicals. Vieux Carre Absinthe, and Penn 1681 Vodka. We also have a 4 column continuous distillation setup that we use to produce the rye vodka. – www.bluecoatgin.com

·         Firefly Distillery – Vodka – www.fireflyvodka.com

·         Prichards Distillery – Prichards’ White and Dark Rums, whiskey – www.prichardsdistillery.com

·         Garrison Brothers Distillery – Texas Bourbon Whiskey – www.garrisonbros.com

·         Graham Barnes Distilling – Treaty Oak Rum – www.treatyoakrum.com

·         San Luis Spirits – Vodka – www.drippingspringsvodka.com

·         Tito’s Handmade Vodka – Vodka – www.titos-vodka.com

·         High West Distillery – High West Whiskey and Vodka – www.highwestdistillery.com

·         Ogden’s Own Distillery – Herbal Liqueur, Rum and Gin – www.ogdensown.com

·         Flag Hill Farm – Pomme-de-Vie, Apple eau de vie – www.flaghillfarm.com

·         Vermont Spirits – Vermont Spirits Gold Vodka, distilled from 100% maple sap; Vermont Spirits White Vodka, from 100% lactose; Vermont Spirits Blue Vodka from 100% sugar cane – www.vermontspirits.com

·         Belmont Farms (Virginia Moonshine) – Virginia Lightning Whiskey & Moonshine – www.virginiamoonshine.com

·         Parched Group LLC – Full capacity distillery. The flagship brand is Cirrus Vodka, a multiple award-winning vodka. – www.cirrusvodka.com

·         Dry Fly Distilling – Vodka, Gin & Whiskey – www.dryflydistilling.com

 

·         Pacific Distillery – Voyager Single-Batch Gin and Pacifique Absinthe – www.pacificdistillery.com

·         Forks of Cheat Winery – Applejack, grappa and brandy – www.wvwines.com

·         Isaiah Morgan Distillery – Rye Whiskey, Morgan Grappa, Brandy, Southern Moon Corn Liquor. The nation’s smallest distillery located on a country farm in central West Virginia. – www.kirkwood-wine.com

·         West Virginia Distilling – 100 proof moonshine, 80 proof moonshine, 80 proof Old Oak recipe moonshine – www.mountainmoonshine.com

·         45th Parallel Spirits – Vodka – www.45thparallelspirits.com

·         AEppelTreow Winery – www.aeppeltreow.com

·         Great Lakes Distillery – Rehorst Premium Milwaukee Vodka,Gin, Whiskey, Grappa and Eau-de-vie – www.greatlakesdistillery.com