The American Distillery

Distilleries have been part of world history since the Chinese developed rice based liquor in 7000 BC. The growth of US distilleries developed in the rural South during Prohibition with “bathtub hooch” production to rise against the state and local liquor laws.

In terms of worldwide sales and distribution of liquor, Diageo (based in London) ranks #1 with $16 billion in sales. Diageo is followed by Pernod Ricard (Paris - $11 billon), Carlton (Australia – $4 billion), Brown-Froman (Louisville, Kentucky - $3 billion), and Foster’s (Australia - $3 billion) to round out the top five.

What about the little guys? Just like the microbrew craze, microdistilleries are gaining popularity across the US. Today, there are a total of 57 microdistilleries in the US market with several opening each week in compliance of state laws. Though they produce a small piece of the total US sales of alcohol, they continue to be a trend to watch for global liquor production.

This summer, New Columbia Distillers (http://newcolumbiadistillers.com/) plans to open the first distillery in Washington, DC. Headed by John Uselton and Mike Lowe, the distillery plans to start its Gin and Whiskey production to combat other local distilleries such as  Catoctin Creek Distillery in Virginia (Gin producer) the Mount Vernon Distillery in Virginia (produces small amounts of whiskey based on George Washington’s recipes), and Blackwater Distilling in Maryland (Sloop Betty vodka).

This leads me to my next question: Out of all of the little guys, who is making the surge to put US distilleries on the global map? My answer is Philadelphia Distillers. Located north of Philadelphia, this distillery has been producing American spirits since 2005. The founders (Andrew Auwerda, Timothy Yarnall and Robert Cassell) have a strong belief that spirit drinkers appreciate high quality American crafted spirits.

Beginning with Bluecoat American Dry Gin (2006), Philadelphia Distilling has developed its catalog by adding “Penn 1681 Rye Vodka” (2008), “Vieux Carre Absinthe Superieure” (2009),  and recently added “XXX SHINE White Whiskey” (2011). The spirits can now be found from Italy to Hawaii and most places in between.

Bluecoat American Dry Gin (2006)

This five times distilled spirit boasts a unique in flavor profile and is craft distilled using organic juniper berries and a blend of organic American citrus peels and other organic botanicals. Bluecoat is distilled in a custom-built, hand-hammered copper pot still. In true batch distillation, the process calls for extremely slow heating of the pot, which allows for maximum separation of alcohols. The result is a spirit that is intensely smooth and invigorating.

Penn 1681 Rye Vodka (2008)

Penn 1681 Rye vodka’s name comes from the year (1681) in which King Charles II granted William Penn the land to create the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania"--to pay homage to the founding of the state of Pennsylvania. It is made with organic rye selected from local farms. At 100 calories per shot, it received the 2010 silver at the San Francisco World Spirits competition. Penn 1681 Rye Vodka is 80 proof, so it is of a moderate proof relative to other vodkas.

Vieux Carre Absinthe Superieure (2009)

Named after the French Quarter (locally known as Vieux Carré) which is the soul of New Orleans, Louisiana. This homage to the unique and colorful history of Absinthe in New Orleans was first released on December 31, 2008. It is the first legal absinthe to be distilled, bottled and sold on the east coast of the United States in nearly 100 years. I recently had a chance to take in this botanic spirit at District Commons in Washington, DC.

A quick history of Absinthe:

Absinthe originated in Switzerland and achieved great popularity as an alcoholic drink in late 19th- and early 20th-century France, particularly among Parisian artists and writers. Vincent van Gogh and Oscar Wilde were two notorious absinthe drinkers. It is commonly referred to in historical literature as "la fée verte" (the Green Fairy) and in cafes from Paris to Prague, absinthe was drunk by artists and laborers, butchers and bankers. 

New Orleans embraced the Green Fairy in 1869 when the Aleix brothers opened a bar named the "Old Absinthe House" at the corner of Bourbon and Bienville streets in the French district. The Absinthe Room attracted an impressive list of visitors, including presidents William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, Aaron Burr, and Oscar Wilde.

XXX SHINE White Whiskey (2011)

With the tag line: “No Sugar, No Color, No Wood –No Bullshit”, Shine is the real deal. This blend of American corn is distilled three times (XXX) in a copper pot still. As a shot, on the rocks or with your favorite mixer, XXX SHINE Whiskey is clear and smooth and becomes almost invisible when mixed. I had the chance to try this distilled spirit at a wine show in Washington, DC. With its smooth taste and finish, it paired well with a head full of wine.

I am certainly looking forward to what comes next from these American micro distilleries.