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Beyond the COA: Testing Raw Materials in the Distillery

It’s important to know the specs, but take nothing for granted. In-house quality testing and monitoring of ingredients can help you ensure consistent spirits and avoid big headaches down the road.

Crafting Spirits from the Pines

There are spirits in the trees, but pines are a source that modern distillers often overlook. Whether using fresh buds or gooey cones for brandies or liqueurs, here’s how a couple of small distilleries in the Northwest are sourcing and distilling them for a distinctive local product.

CS&D Podcast Episode 11: Ken Klehm of 450 North Spirits Loves the Creative Challenge of Distilling an Array of Spirits

Through his distilling career, Ken Klehm has tackled an array of challenges, such as stocking an entire cocktail bar with house-distilled spirits and liqueurs. Now at the helm of the 450 North brewstillery, he’s exploring new opportunities such as distilling with estate grain, making American single malt, and more.

Time for a Cool Change: Refreshing Cocktails to Beat the Heat

As the temperature soars, here are some simple ideas for refreshing cocktails that use artisanal spirits and modifiers to help you and your guests stay cool.

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Earthen Floors and Single Barrels: A Look at Barrelhouse Traditions

How producers design their barrel storage has a major impact on how whiskey ages—and, whether dunnage or rickhouse, one method’s drawback can be another’s strength.

Riding the Boom, Contract Distillers Are Selling More than Whiskey

Meeting the demand for bourbon brands whose owners want others to manage production, contract distillers are offering state-of-the-art facilities, high levels of customization, and a wide range of support in getting to market.

CS&D Podcast Episode 10: Andy Nelson, Cofounder of Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery and Belle Meade Bourbon, on the Life Cycle of a Modern Distillery

Launching a whiskey distillery is not for the faint of heart. Balancing the timing, financing, logistics, brand building, quality, creative expression, distillery construction, and legacy has left Andy Nelson feeling as much like a jack-of-all-trades as he does a head distiller.

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The Sensory of Spirits: 4VG, Whiskey, and You

The spicy compound 4-vinyl-guaiacol occurs in many drinks, but among distillers, it’s best known as a flavor component of certain whiskeys—especially ryes. Whether you want to dial it up, dial it down, or just dial it in, here’s what to know.

Distiller’s Perspective: Reconstructing an Original French Amer

The Golden Moon Distillery in Golden, Colorado, recently closed its doors after 16 years of producing creative, award-winning craft spirits—such as its Amer Antik, closely based on a mid-19th century recipe. Here, Stephen Gould explains what went into the old-fashioned bitters, and he shares advice for up-and-coming distillers.

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Decoding the Numbers on Your Grain

Don’t take that certificate of analysis for granted—the stats attached to your raw grain or malt can make a big difference in how you ferment and distill a consistent, quality spirit. Here’s what to know.