Bring It All Together with Homemade Bitters

Bitters are an essential item in the bartender’s toolkit—whether home or pro—and nothing sets a great cocktail apart like a handmade, bespoke version.

By: Sailor Guevara

Microdistilling for Maximum Flavor Differentiation

Smaller distilleries can tap into flavors and opportunities that may not be available at larger scale, whether that’s to support modest growth or simply to make the best possible spirit.

By: Hollie Stephens

Subscriber Exclusive

Weighing the Merits of Slow Dilution

When it comes to diluting a spirit before packaging, deliberate slowness has a strong following among distillers. Yet there’s a lack of hard evidence to back up the approach—or to dismiss it.

By: Matt Strickland

S&D Podcast Episode 30: Bob Dillon of Dismal Harmony Refines Flavors with Creative Flair

Bob Dillon joins the podcast to discuss the technical and artistic vision behind his more familiar spirits as well as his ACSA best-in-show-winning Vidisha’s Masala liqueur.

By: Sydney Jones

Fundamentals

Fermentation Matters to the Flavor of Your Spirits

From methods to ensure healthy fermentation to fementor choices to cleaning procedures, yeast selection, and time, the decision tree that a distiller follows when designing a fermentation regimen has tremendous impact on the character of the final product.

By: Gabe Toth

Subscriber Exclusive

High-Quality Proofing Water Is Essential to Great Spirits

As a distiller, you need to ensure that the water you’re using for dilution is helping, not harming, your products. Here’s what to know.

By: Reade Huddleston

S&D Podcast 29: Devon Trevathan of Liba Spirits and Trovador Rum Distills Spirits with Stories

Whether she’s distilling in far-flung locales, blending beautiful spirits, or writing about others’ processes, Devon Trevathan crafts stories in both words and flavors.

By: Molly Troupe

Water: It’s More than Just Hs and Os

Water is an essential component to producing high-quality spirits. Knowing how it affects your mash is what can take your products from good to great.

By: Reade Huddleston

Fun with Fungi: Distillers Make Magic with Mushrooms

Mushrooms offer a range of characteristics that may appeal to consumers, whether they’re seeking flavor in spirits or function in NA beverages.

By: Courtney Iseman

Fundamentals

Rollers, Hammers, Mashers, and Cookers: The Gear to Know, from Milling through Cooking

A distillery’s goals tend to influence its choice of equipment, as different spirits call for different ways to process grain or other fermentables. Here’s a primer.

By: Gabe Toth

S&D Podcast Episode 28: Brett Steigerwaldt of Lyon Rum is Crafting Contemporary Expressions with Timeless Methods

Rum with distinctive character and refined expression is key for this Maryland distillery, and head distiller Brett Steigerwaldt doesn’t leave flavor up to fate.

By: Sydney Jones

Subscriber Exclusive

When It Comes to Barrel Entry Proof, Consider Your Budget and the Science

The available data around flavor impacts is unclear—even contradictory—but this much we know: Distilling a range of strengths for the barrels will give you a broader range of blending options.

By: Matt Strickland

Four Trailblazing Women Who Shaped Drinking Culture

For Women’s History Month, we mix up some cocktails in honor of those who pushed for a seat at the table and a place behind the bar.

By: Sailor Guevara

Fundamentals

Unlocking the Goodness Locked Up in Grain

Understanding the fundamentals of proper mashing or cooking can be essential to producing good spirits.

By: Gabe Toth

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