Artisan Spirit: Summer 2014

Page 76

about starting a business together, we just didn’t know what know what to do with it all. Enter Dave Pickerell, former master it was going to be,” reflected Brett. Around 2009, Brett came

distiller for Maker’s Mark. The partners in distilling had been

across an article on the growing distilling movement and was

corresponding with him for guidance and advice, and eventually

inspired to invest his marketing major in the industry. “We had a

convinced Dave to make the journey from Kentucky to mentor the

passion for whiskey...We knew we wanted to do it, but we didn’t

two on their first batches of whiskey. Dave helped the guys make

know how to do it.” The idea was inevitably shelved a few times

their first mash, and also taught them the chemistry behind the

because it just didn’t seem cost effective or realistic. Eventually, mashing, fermenting, and distilling process. Brett confessed, an epiphany struck: “Orlin called me one night

In order to create revenue when first starting out, Brett and

and said, ‘Do you wake up every morning thinking about starting

Orlin distilled a vodka sold as Peabody Jones Vodka, and also

a whiskey distillery?’ I said, ‘Yes!’ so he said, ‘Alright...that’s it, sold their white dog which customers can still purchase with let’s find a way to do it.” The two business partners purchased

a small barrel in an “age your own whiskey” kit. Their bourbon

all of the equipment and wrote up business plans but still didn’t and rye whiskey are aged in micro barrels to cut the aging time

SINCE 1953 French and American Oak Barrels for Ultra Premium Spirits from 225L to 600L Upright French Oak Tanks from 10HL to 300HL Small Format French Oak Barrels from 1L to 110L

P. 503.307.1593 E. nicholas@nicholaskeeler.com www.nicholaskeeler.com

76 WWW.ARTISANSPIRITMAG.COM


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Artisan Spirit: Summer 2014 by Artisan Spirit Magazine - Issuu