distilled spirits

Episode 133 – Catoctin Creek Distilling Company – Becky Harris

This episode features ⁠⁠Becky Harris⁠⁠ of ⁠⁠Catoctin Creek Distilling Company⁠ ⁠.

Becky and Scott founded Catoctin Creek in 2009. At the time there were about 200 distilleries in the United Sates and 6 in Virginia. They began with a vision of making rye whiskey which was “the whiskey” up until prohibition in the Mid-Atlantic States. At Cotoctin they use batch pot still distillation. This is the key to deriving the most flavor from the rye grain. In the beginning it was difficult to get farmers to take a chance on this little craft distillery. Today those farmers are glad that they did. Catoctin produces some of the finest rye whiskey’s. Combine that with the delicious cocktails in the tasting room and you have a recipe for continued growth and success. We enjoyed our fascinating conversation about history, the spirits industry and Catoctin Creek Distilling.

120 W Main St, Purcellville, VA 20132 – ⁠⁠⁠⁠(540) 751-8404⁠ – www.CatoctinCreekDistilling.com – ⁠⁠Facebook⁠

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/emNimJEK

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/eHQ_nmMS

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/eD_8rhvC

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/eXHCvphN
and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

⁠Every Home a Distillery⁠

⁠American Craft Spirit Association⁠

⁠Mt. Defiance Distillery⁠

⁠Jack Rose Dining Saloon⁠

⁠MGP⁠

⁠Sagamore Spirit⁠

⁠New Riff Distilling⁠

⁠Eight Oaks Farm Distillery⁠

⁠Gwar⁠

⁠Leopold Brothers⁠

⁠Diageo Brands⁠

⁠George Dickel⁠

⁠Bulleit Bourbon⁠

⁠Du Nord Social Spirits⁠

⁠Distilled Spirits Council⁠

⁠Purcellville, VA

Episode 132 – Kyrö Distillery Company – Miika Lipiäinen

This episode features ⁠Miika Lipiäinen⁠ of ⁠Kyrö Distillery Company⁠.

5 Friends in a sauna were passing around a bottle of U.S. Rye Whiskey. They started to ask themselves… “Why isn’t anybody making whiskey out of Rye in Finland?” The idea stuck and they began reaching out to those in the distilling industry to help and to determine if this was a viable concept. Two and a half years later found them opening Kyrö Distillery Company. Today they see themselves as pioneers in the rye whisky space. Since opening they have won the best gin for a gin & tonic at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London. They’re winning hearts, minds and spirit enjoying palates of those that are giving Kyrö a try. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy some of their wonderful gin or whiskys. As they say in Finland… Kippis!

www.KyroDistillery.com – ⁠Facebook

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/ebGz5akC

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/e4zTvbxe

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/enVJJUeS

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/em56h7Aw
and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

⁠International Wine and Spirits Competition⁠

⁠Koval Distillery⁠

⁠Northeast Barrel Company ⁠

⁠Mid-August Distillery Festival⁠

⁠Bar Convent Brooklyn

Episode 131 – Widow’s Peak Distilling Company – Josh Douglas

This episode features Josh Douglas of Widow’s Peak Distilling Company.

Mike and Mark Ilg were on a ski trip when they devised a plan for a distillery. Mark had been an avid home brewer for 15 years so the challenge of distilling intrigued him. 2 weeks later, after reading a book, he professed to Mike that he was ready to distill vodka. They set up shop distilling their spirits in Peach Bottom, PA. The doors to the cocktail bar and tasting room opened in Ambler, PA in July of 2022. What you will discover here are spirits layered with flavor and a nuanced sipping experience. They provide a wide variety of cocktails to highlight they’re handcrafted in PA spirits.

10 E Butler Ave, Ambler, PA 19002 – (267) 209-0551 – www.WidowsPeakDistilling.com – Facebook

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/grJbEZiX

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/gNY5bhuM

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/gCWEBj9f

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/gmaJgxBS
and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

Sorrentino Pasta and Provisions

Michelle Cudia

Forrest & Main

Painted Stave Distilling

Philadelphia Distilling

Bees Knees Cocktail

MGP

Ambler, PA

Episode 125 – Indepenent Spirits Distillery – Mark Breen-Klein

This episode features Mark Breen-Klein of Independent Spirits Distillery.

Kerry, Mark’s mother, was trying to decide a business to go into as her children were leaving home to explore their lives. Without any experience or knowledge the decision was made to start a distillery. Mark brought his biomedical engineering degree background into the family business. His attention to detail and a focus on a uniform product takes their spirits to a new level. There are quite a few expressions to be proud of which are all unique, creative and full of flavor. These are expressions that pay homage to the local farmers of South Jersey that surround this family craft distillery.

131 Davidson Rd, Woolwich Township, NJ 08085

(609) 202-5458– www.ISDistillery.com – Facebook

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/eRqJFjkZ

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/efCr_zp2

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/e3bKTPsz

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/eVSaPBEA
and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

Two Bridges Wine, Beer and Spirits Trail

Rabbit Hill Farms

Mood’s Farm Market

Tito’s Vodka

Episode 123 – Virginia Distillery Company – Amanda Beckwith

This episode features Amanda Beckwith of Virginia Distillery Company.

Dr. George G. Moore was an Irishman who came to the United States in the 1970’s. He loved collecting and drinking single malt whisky’s. In 2011 the dream of a distillery began to become a reality. In 2013 George’s son Gareth took over the reigns when his father passed away. Today, Virginia Distillery Company has been distilling and aging for over seven years. Amanda came on board in 2015 to launch the tour and tasting program. Her knowledge of whisky making quickly grew. Amanda discovered that she had an amazing ability to nose and taste whisky. Today, as master blender, she has taken the lead on their single malt “Courage & Conviction” release. We got to share Amanda’s perspective on the juice that the team is producing. We have to say that what they are producing is sensational. Their New American Single Malt is a feast for the senses.

299 Eades Ln, Lovingston, VA 22949 – (434) 285-2900 – www.VADistillery.com – Facebook

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/eZfyaQjj

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/eE5ujBzV

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/eE_hi9v5

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/eUUZNMdh
and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

Harry Cockburn

Dr. Jim Swan

Nancy Fraley

George Washington’s Mount Vernon Distillery

Murphy & Rude Malting Company

Brown Forman

Bar Convent Brooklyn

Episode 120 – Amaro Santoni – Luca Missaglia

Photography www.themakers.co.uk

This episode features Luca Missaglia of Amaro Santoni.

Luca is driven by passion. Amaro Santoni, an Italian Apartivo comes from the heart. He also has a love of cocktails and brand building. His focus is to help bartenders get out of their comfort zone. Luca grew up in Milan. Very early on he discovered that the zest for amaro was in his DNA. Amaro Santoni is a traditional recipe made by Gabriello Santoni. It’s produced with Rhubarb Root, Iris Flower and Olive Leaf. It takes your drinking experience into the third dimension. If you love amaro, this is a must have on your bar.

www.amarosantoni.com – Facebook

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/evCSeZXs

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/euDrxnG7

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/e6qDVnRM

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/emZpQXNt
and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

Bar Convent Brooklyn

The Art of Shaking

Nomad Hotel

Episode 119 – Laura Fields – Whiskey History and The Delaware Valley Fields Foundation

This episode features Laura Fields of The Delaware Valley Fields Foundation.

Nothing ever stops in farming. In 2015 they started out with five ounces of Keystone Rosen Rye grain. Today there are over 400 acres that have been planted. This project was created for distillers to purchase direct from farmers. Currently, there are nine farming partners growing the Rosen Rye. October 28, 2022, Dick Still would have celebrated his 89th birthday. Dick was a featured guest of the podcast in Episode 14. Check out that episode for more insight into this Master Distillers experiences. Laura and I delve into the history of whiskey. Especially as it relates to rye and Pennsylvanias imprint on this wonderful grain.

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/efetkrRm

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/eawEkhEm

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/et_w2EMn

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/e36cZZTS
and more…

Highlights From our Conversation:

American Whiskey History

Seed Spark Project

Michters

Dick Stoll

Stoll And Wolfe Distillery

Penn State Agriculture

Dancing Star Farms

American Whiskey Convention

Episode 117 – Canary Cocktails And Spirits – Philip Search and Don Benedetto

This episode features Philip Search and Don Benedetto of Canary Cocktails and Spirits.

Philip has been in the beverage industry for a long time. He’s been involved with the coffee industry, managing bars and restaurants and helping to set up bar programs. When Covid hit and impacted the bars in the area he was more then ready to roll up his sleeves and dive right in to help. Don’s background as an attorney has helped to navigate the in’s and out’s of getting the business up and running. Not to mention his skill at putting labels onto cans. Canary Cocktails is producing first rate amazing ready to drink cocktails. Their experience has helped to create a true high end cocktail in a can. They source the finest spirits and ingredients. You’ll be hooked on the first sip. From there you’ll be a raving fan of the brand and their craft cocktails.

214 N Aberdeen Ave, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087 – (610) 392-3203 – www.CanarySpirits.com – Instagram

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/gn-FS5Zu

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/guAeRVDx

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/gK5Tg4WD

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/g_x8T8_P
and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

Widow Jane

Spring House Spirits

Method Spirits

Eda Rhyne Distilling Company

Amtrak

Episode 116 – Spring House Spirits – Chris Demars – Randy and Jenn Litwin

This episode features Chris Demars, Randy Litwin and Jenn Litwin of Spring House Spirits.

Sixty years ago Chris’s grandmother taught him how to distill spirits, make wine and brew beer. Chris worked as a nuclear engineer which is kind of like being a distiller. He longed to come back to the family farm and get back to his distilling roots. He pays homage to his grandmothers background by bringing several grains together in the mash bill. This bespoke farm distillery is creating amazing spirits that are full of character and flavor. Each bottle highlights the quality of the process, the local grains, and the connection to the history of the surrounding Chester County community.

25 Martin Rd, Coatesville, PA 19320 – (610)593-7348 – www.SpringHouseSpirits.com – Facebook

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/eDYUjuKn

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/ea2WYev4

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/eBWZSFsk

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/e4jt3ijx
and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

St. Malachi Church

M & D Staves

Zook Molasses Company

Grey Goose Vodka

Deer Creek Malthouse

Episode 111 – Method Spirits – Corey Fitzsimmons

This episode features Corey Fitzsimmons of Method Spirits.

Corey was a bartender in New York City for over a decade. He had the honor of being the head bartender at the new location for the Union Square Cafe. He quickly discovered the he was not able to source local vermouth that would work for classic cocktails. He began working on a vermouth using his own recipes and exploring opportunities. This took him to going out on his own to develop Method Spirits. He and his partners spent 2 years developing the recipe for their sweet vermouth. We have to share that it is delicious and complex. It gives wonderful depth and character to cocktails and it stands on its own neat or with a little club soda. Keep an eye out for the dry vermouth that they have created.

www.MethodSpirits.com – Instagram

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/eyQ-UFAT

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/ePjwcFbP

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/entmqEC6

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/exg-Yuz5
and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

Bar Convent Brooklyn

Union Square Cafe

Swedish Hill Vineyard & Winery

Finger Lakes Distilling

Danny Meyer