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Experimenting with Different Cask Finishes for Rye Whiskey | Video Tip

R&D distiller Mitch Mahar describes the innovation program that helps WhistlePig choose single-cask finishes worth pursuing, as well as potential threads for their annual Boss Hog special release.

Fundamentals

Pots and Columns: Choosing the Right Type of Still

A distiller’s choice of still design can have a significant impact on their product lineup—and vice-versa.

S&D Podcast Episode 26: Caley Shoemaker of As Above, So Below Explores Character and Texture in Vodka Distillation

Character and expression in “simple” vodka distillations? Is it really possible? The cofounder and master distiller behind this Santa Fe, New Mexico, craft distillery not only thinks so, but she walks through her process of using atypical grains and other ingredients to produce vodka with spirit and verve.

Why the Angel’s Share Matters

Oh, the sweetness of loss… Here’s how and why the slow, inevitable reduction of cask-aged spirit plays a valuable role in its maturation and flavor—and why some people try to prevent it anyway.

From Wine to Wonder: The Art of Homemade Vermouth

Making vermouth at home allows for endless exploration and limitless flavor opportunities.

From the Rows of Rye to the Rickhouse at WhistlePig | Video Tip

In this clip from their video course, WhistlePig R&D distiller Mitch Mahar explains how the rye harvest can affect their choice of barrels for aging the spirit, as well as how cask placement can affect the final product.

Subscriber Exclusive

Small Spaces, Big Results: How Nanodistilleries Can Succeed with Compact Setups

A smaller space requires any producer to be flexible—but that nimbleness can also be a strength.

Unlocking the Benefits of Brewer’s Yeast in Distilling

Understanding the science behind brewer’s yeast and how it differs from distiller’s yeast can help you optimize your fermentation and create uniquely complex spirits.

S&D Podcast Episode 25: Gian Nelson of Jano Spirits and Ruins Distillery is Exploring the Possibilities in California Agave

There’s more to agave than Blue Weber, and Gian Nelson is on a mission to show just what’s possible with California agave through careful work with growers, adaptive fermentation processes, and an embrace of the inherent inefficiency of agave in general.

Are You Finished? Using Wine and Sherry Casks for Secondary Aging

Port, sherry, and other wines offer distillers a wide variety of options to accentuate their whiskeys.