S&D Podcast Episode 28: Brett Steigerwaldt of Lyon Rum is Crafting Contemporary Expressions with Timeless Methods

Rum with distinctive character and refined expression is key for this Maryland distillery, and head distiller Brett Steigerwaldt doesn’t leave flavor up to fate.

Sydney Jones Mar 18, 2025 - 2 min read

S&D Podcast Episode 28: Brett Steigerwaldt of Lyon Rum is Crafting Contemporary Expressions with Timeless Methods Primary Image

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The process of making rum is rife with lore, but for Brett Steigerwaldt of Lyon Rum in St. Michael’s, Maryland, breaking down the variables and understanding the impacts of each factor—ingredients, fermentation, distillation, finishing—leads to more refined expression. In this episode, Steigerwaldt and host Sydney Jones discuss:

  • double pot distillation’s impact on flavor and texture in finished rum
  • distilling various iterations of white and dark rum as well as finishing in alternate spirit barrels
  • understanding base ingredients for better perspective on fermentation impact
  • the challenges of working with molasses
  • adapting traditional rum techniques to whiskey, making for greater ester formation
  • working with Rosalie Bay Distillery in Dominica

And more.

G&D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Sid Dilawri from Filibuster Distillery says, “From the design and engineering to installation and start-up, G&D was easy to work with. We’ve had great customer service since commissioning our chiller, and I’d highly recommend them for any distillery system.” Reach out for a quote today at gdchillers.com.

Sydney Jones is a supervisor and lead distillery technician at the newly-constructed Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. Previously, she worked as the first female head distiller for FEW Spirits in Evanston, Illinois, and has been working in the distilled-spirits industry since 2016, specializing in whiskey and gin production.

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