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AUGUST 25 - 31, 2021 • BLVD • GOLD COAST REAL ESTATE & LUXURY LIVING
John O’Mara
Bill Karlson
Academy alums’ distilled tribute to WWII midshipmen BY CHRISTY HINKO
T
rue to the motto of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) service academy, Acta non Verba (meaning “deeds, not words”), two academy alums (1982) and lifelong friends Bill Karlson and John O’Mara are the “K” and the “O” in KO Distilling, making a special tribute spirit they’ve named Battle Standard 142 Gin, in honor of the academy’s fallen World War II midshipmen.
The distillers met as classmates and cadet/midshipmen at the USMMA in Kings Point many years ago and have been friends ever since. After graduation, Karlson and O’Mara went their separate ways but followed similar paths. Both initially sailed in the Merchant Marine and served in the United States Navy Reserve. Upon retiring early, the question became, “what next?” Neither one being satisfied with sitting idle, in 2013 Karlson and O’Mara set off to create craft spirits with local ingredients, high-quality production methods and a passion that they were excited to share with their local community. Since breaking ground in 2015, the duo has turned KO Distilling into a state-of-the-art production facility and local attraction in Manassas, VA. After their initial offering of unaged craft whiskey and gins in 2015, Karlson and O’Mara realized their goal of producing their first aged spirit, Bare Knuckle American Wheat Whiskey, in November 2016.
We had a chance to speak with KO Distilling Co-founder and CEO Karlson. Here’s what he had to say. Q. How did you come up with the idea to create Battle Standard 142 Gin? A. A gin lover, John deserves the credit for coming up with the name Battle Standard 142 and for insisting on us starting out with both 90 proof and Navy Strength (114 Proof) expressions of the gins. Q. What’s the significance of the 142 midshipmen? How is this gin historically relevant? A. Battle Standard 142 Gins are named in honor of the 142 Cadet/Midshipmen from the USMMA who lost their lives serving their country in World War II. KO Distilling co-founders’ alma mater, the USMMA, is the only federal academy authorized to fly a Battle Standard in memory of those brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice. During WWII, the American Merchant Marines had more deaths per capita than any U.S. military service. Many of the mariners, including the 142, who made the ultimate sacrifice sailed on liberty ships. The Navy Strength bottle has an image of the SS John W. Brown, while the Standard Strength bottle has an image of the SS Jeremiah O’Brien. Of the 2,710 liberty ships constructed in American shipyards from 1941 to 1945, only these two liberty ships remain in active service. The Brown and O’Brien are docked in Baltimore and San Francisco, respectively. Q. Was Battle Standard your first product? A. Because KO Co-Founder John O’Mara was a gin enthusiast, we opted to produce our own take on American-style gins. Battle Standard 142 gins were born. KO starting producing Standard and Navy Strength expressions of Battle Standard 142 in 2015. We added the Barrel Finished expression in 2016. Q. Explain the difference between the recipes. A. Battle Standard 142 Gin Standard Strength is the 90 proof variation of the Battle Standard 142 Gin Navy Strength. While they are distilled in the same fashion, this spirit is uniquely different in that its proofing allows you to taste the more delicate botanicals involved. Battle Standard 142 Gin Standard Strength has a subtle array of flavors that include juniper, citrus, cinnamon, spice, earth and floral notes. Battle Standard 142 Gin Navy Strength derives its name, “Navy Strength,” from the British Navy’s practice of proofing gin rations to 114 proof. This was done so that if spilled on the ship’s gunpowder, the gunpowder could still be fired in battle. Don’t let its higher proof fool you, Battle Standard 142 Gin Navy Strength is surprisingly smooth with big, bold and vibrant notes of juniper, citrus and cinnamon. Battle Standard 142 Gin Barrel Finished has been “rested” or “finished” in used bourbon barrels. This extra step creates a beautiful golden hue and imparts sweetness from the bourbon barrel, along with a slight oakiness. Battle Standard 142 Gin Barrel Finished combines its subtle array of botanical notes with the sweetness of the bourbon barrel to produce a wonderful flavor reminiscent of honey or honeysuckle. Q. Any plans to expand the brand, to possibly bring it to Long Island? A. KO Distilling products are currently available in retail stores in Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland. The company is planning an expansion and because of the strong ties to USMMA, New York is on the top of our list; local distribution is in its planning phase. Battle Standard 142 is available online through Shared Pour (www.sharedpour.com).
Acta Non Verba: Deeds Not Words
The 142 memorial plaque at Delano Hall, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Merchant Marine midshipmen line up outside the mess hall prior to lunch. Photo by Alex Nuñez