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The martini is an undeniable classic with timeless appeal, yet it’s also evolved over the years. Here’s a look at the modern history of the martini, as told via recipes that give craft spirits pride of place.

Craft distillers are taking advantage of the savoriness and salinity of kelp and other ocean algae, producing locally rooted, umami-driven spirits that evoke the sea.

Founded a little more than a decade ago by Opolo Vineyards in Paso Robles, California, Willow Creek Distillery has a reputation for its award-winning brandies. Here, U.S. Marine turned head distiller Kevin Coulton explains their approach to high-quality fruit-based spirits—from sourcing fruit to making use of saignée. As told to Ryan Pachmayer.

As blender and manager of blending operations for Barrell, a brand committed to sourcing and blending rather than distilling, Christiansen finds creative ways to marry distinct flavors in whiskey without muddling their individual characters.

Santa Fe Spirits master distiller Stephen Julander explains how coopers use fires of different intensities and times to prepare barrels to influence character of spirits over the long haul.

A new initiative aims to support and certify whiskeys whose grains were grown and distilled in one place.

From systems that save water and energy to solar arrays that pay for themselves in relatively short order, here’s how some distilleries are saving money by saving resources—and boosting their brands, at the same time.

For what must be the world’s only single-tree gin, a small distillery in East Africa is going to a few intentional extremes.

Producing smaller volumes of craft spirits typically means a location closer to potential customers, but distilling in high-density urban environments is both work-intensive and expensive. Brooklyn’s Widow Jane has found an artful way to create distinct spirits despite—or maybe because of—the challenges they face distilling, aging, and blending in New York City.

A small craft distillery doesn’t have anything like the marketing budget of the bigger brands—but it does have a home and a story. One of the best ways to tell that story—and to get people to taste your pride and joy—is to offer a memorable tour. Here’s how to do it.