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Nanodistilling: Small but Mighty—and Creative

While the smallest distilleries will never compete on volume, there are other areas where they can outmaneuver bigger players on experimentation, local ties, and small-batch appeal.

S&D Podcast Episode 31: Sara Sergent of Alpine Distilling Blends Science with Instinct and Flair in Botanical Spirits

Whether she’s engaging with the wide world of ingredients or sourcing those from her own high-mountain backyard, master distiller Sara Sergent combines well-honed sensory skills with a methodical process for testing how processes and treatments change aroma and flavor expression in her award-winning botanical spirits.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.