I can’t believe it’s been over a month since I visited the gorgeous Maker’s Mark distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. But if you’ve been following me on social media, you know that it’s been a bonkers few months of travel and imbibing across the country and continents! But it was this Kentucky visit that kicked it all off. […]
Being the first of anything is always a challenge. Blinking Owl Distillery co-owners, husband and wife, and longtime Santa Ana residents, Brian and Robin Christianson know that all too well. After setting aside their careers and devoting nearly four years to conceptualizing, researching and planning the business and build-out of the first craft distillery in Orange County, they’ve finally opened […]
Last month I had the opportunity to visit House Spirits Distillery in Portland, Oregon, tour the facilities with head distiller, Andrew Tice and get to know founder & distiller, Christian Krogstad – one of the pioneers behind America’s craft distilling revival. House Spirits Distillery, a forerunner in Portland’s craft distilling community, is now in their 12th year of operation. And […]
Who out there has tried sodabi, a traditional West African liquor distilled from fermented palm tree sap? If you’re anything like me, this exotic spirit is unfamiliar…but intriguing! Unless you are from West Africa or have spent any significant time there, the likelihood of you having tried this local specialty of Benin, the birthplace of voodoo, is pretty […]
Tonight (in just a few short hours!), I’ll be joining Van Brunt Stillhouse, the Red Hook, Brooklyn based distillery I’ve profiled here before, at Atlantic Cellars for a spirits tasting. They will be sampling a number of their products that range from a limited edition grappa to a smooth, delicate amber-colored rum called Due North, […]
One of my favorite things about getting to know the ever-growing small batch, hand crafted spirits industry in this country is learning the back stories for each of the distillers involved – the road that has led them to this often risky venture and what it has taken to get to the point of finally […]
Attention gin (and honey bee) lovers! Meet your new, favorite martini ingredient: The first time I tried Barr Hill Gin, I wasn’t able to fully appreciate this unique, Vermont made spirit. While I thoroughly enjoyed the delicious cocktail painstakingly created by one of the very capable bartenders at the Bearded Lady in Brooklyn, I didn’t realize, […]
In the 1800’s, Brooklyn was teeming with distilleries. Like much of the country, it was full-on hooch heaven. And the Red Hook neighborhood was its stairway to it. Gin, rum and whiskey stills lined the waterfront for years…that is, until prohibition. Well, legally, at least. Al Capone DID start his mob career here. But with […]
