Recent Articles

Sydney Jones, supervisor and lead distillery technician at Heaven Hill in Bardstown, Kentucky, isolates the components of whiskey-making, zooming in on all the many decision points that a distiller can use to affect whiskey’s flavor.

Higher-proof spirits can unlock new levels of flavor potential—but how do you get there with balance while avoiding the pitfalls?

Customers generally expect a visually pristine spirit or cocktail. As a distiller, you should know where haze comes from, how to address it, and when it may actually be desirable.

To create novel flavor profiles, Western distillers are increasingly embracing a mold that is traditional in many Asian food and drink fermentations —and they’ve only begun to tap into its potential.

Barrel aging is a complex process that can take decades to master, but every distiller should at least understand the outlines of the journey.

Traditionally distilled in the backyards of the Balkans, rakija is rising with help from a new generation focused on character and quality—and they hope to find a willing audience in the United States and beyond.

While chocolate and whiskey are a classic pairing, chocolate cocktails can range from the familiar to the mold-breaking—and there are many combinations that work, so experiment away.

Here’s how one brand built a new spirit category entirely from scratch, looking to the natural, native ingredients of the region it set out to celebrate.

Though the technique has gained a bad rap, chill filtration has a lot to offer distillers.

Bringing in a blender, even on a contract or part-time basis, can help a small distillery elevate its whiskey and create a more consistent program.

Beyond merely savory, these drinks offer an opportunity to craft drinks that appeal to the chileheads.

Both stainless steel and copper have a place in distilling and offer different strengths when selecting and operating distilling equipment.

Herbs, miso, pickles, and even seafood offer opportunities to take the classic cocktail in delicious and unexpected directions.

Colorful spirits are drawing more eyes than ever, but distillers don’t need to reach into the chemistry kit to achieve vibrant hues.

The enormous variety in liqueurs from various countries and traditions offers distillers an opportunity to create one-of-a-kind cask-finished whiskeys.

A range of filtration tools and techniques allows the distiller opportunities to clean up the flavor profile and clarity of their products.

Intentionality, good value, and memorable experiences as well as lower-strength options are among the highlights of today’s trends at the bar.

Changes in barrel sizes, warehousing, and entry proof have all altered the character of the whiskeys we make and enjoy today. Those old practices also may be sources of inspiration for craft distillers who want to make distinctive products.

While brewers commonly rely on one type of pump, a distiller may have to contend with a wider range of circumstances, from thick mashes to explosion concerns.

Carefully selecting spirits, mixers, and accoutrements can help you offer something for everyone without breaking the bank.