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What It Means to Be an American Whiskey

Popular at the bar and overseas—whether commonly available brands or rarities sought by collectors—American whiskey is surging. But before you explore the category, it’s worth asking: What defines it? The answer is … complicated.

Distiller’s Perspective: What Heirloom Corn Brings to Whiskey

Missouri’s Pinckney Bend Distillery was one of the first to embrace overlooked heirloom-corn varieties for its Heirloom Whiskey series. Here, cofounder and master distiller Tom Anderson outlines the benefits and technical challenges of doing so.

Welcome to Craft Spirits & Distilling, for Those Who Make and Drink Great Spirits

We’re a focused media platform for distillers and makers of fine craft spirits.

Principles of a Thoughtful Distillery Sensory Program

Ready to start some sensory analysis on your products? Know your target, and know your weaknesses. In the first of a series, here’s an introduction to three main types of testing, as well as some biases that can occur when anyone tastes a spirit.

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Planning with Care: What to Know about Designing a Craft Distillery

Thinking of starting a distillery? Besides raising the capital to build it, the most crucial step will be planning the layout. Here are some pointers from the experts to get you started.

American Oak Varies by Region. Does It Matter to Your Whiskey?

Many American whiskey producers are convinced the variation in the oak they use is noticeable and important to their spirit’s character. Here’s a look at the facts.

The Case for New-Fashioned Old Fashioneds

Disregard the purists. The sky’s the limit when it comes to variations on the old fashioned—especially when you make your own bitters or syrup, or when you change things up with the whiskey.

The Art (and Science) of Producing Liqueurs

In this first of a two-part series, Devon Trevathan lays out the basics of what it takes to make a successful liqueur—from choosing a spirit base to flavoring and filtration. The most important ingredient, however, may be trial and error.