In this episode, hosted by Sydney Jones, Breitburg-Smith talks about how he got into distilling as a former craft brewer and how Baltimore Spirits was focused from the beginning on bringing pot-distilled rye whiskey back to Maryland. He also discusses:

• the influence of single-malt on their rye whiskeys
• making other spirits, including their Shot Tower Gin, unusual apple brandies, and New World amari
• using Belgian and American ale yeasts to help drive tropical character in the Epoch Rye
• Baltimore Spirits’ approach to single-malt, and preparing barrels for that spirit
• what makes Maryland rye whiskey different, including its history
• the Ja Rule whiskey collaboration, Amber & Opal, featuring honey, smoky tea, and other botanicals
• making apple brandies aged and blended Solera-style, distilled from smoked apples—and pechuga-inspired, made with smoked ham and seasonal botanicals
• working with the Maryland Distillers Guild to share technical know-how and push for legislative changes for craft distillers
  

And more.

G&D Chillers: G&D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Hank Pressley, head distiller at Moon Drop Distillery says, “Early on, we made a decision to partner with quality American-made companies. One of those companies was G&D Chillers, and we are proud of that choice. Our equipment from them has run long and strong. We put our first barrel in our rickhouse in September 2021, and in the next 3 years we have put back more than another 540 barrels. What a great decision to team up with a company like G&D Chillers.” Reach out for a quote today at gdchillers.com.

In this episode, Austin sits down with host Sydney Jones for a distiller-to-distiller conversation on the intricacies of blending. Along the way, they discuss:

• how rigorous approaches to blending can lead you astray
• altering the blending approach based on the age of the spirit and ultimate intention for the release
• managing blends with very small casks
• safe assumptions and techniques for validating them
• understanding gas chromatography and its place in the blending process
• the challenge in discovering and delivering “house character” that speaks to the blender while resonating with drinkers
• building a sustainable business structure
• contemporary projects, including the three-chamber rye blend with Leopold Brothers
• the multimode consumption of truly great whiskey

And more.

Brought to you by:
G&D Chillers: G&D Chillers understands that each distillery’s chilling requirements are unique. On every distillery project, G&D offers the front-end design and engineering your team needs at no cost to you. Rebecca Harris, president and head distiller of Catoctin Creek recently shared, “Service after the sale is what really separates the quality of a supplier relationship. G&D Chillers has always been a phone call away when we needed them. For a small business like mine, that partnership makes all the difference.” Whether you distill batch by batch or in a continuous operation, for more than 30 years, G&D has had the proven solution. Visit them today at gdchillers.com.

[ABS Commercial:](hhttps://abs-commercial.com) For over 11 years, ABS Commercial has been your full-service equipment manufacturer, designing quality distillation equipment ranging from 50L – 5,000L. Whether establishing a new distillery or expanding into a brewstillery, their team of experienced engineers and designers work with you to develop customized distilling solutions. With their consultative approach, they tailor to your production capacity, space constraints, and budgetary considerations to help you create quality, crafted spirits. Contact them today at sales@abs-commercial.com to discuss your customized distilling needs.

Brewery & Distillery Workshop: IIf you’re planning a distillery or brewery launch, adding a distillery to your brewery, or considering purchasing an existing brewing or distilling business, then visit breweryworkshop.com for more information about the Brewery and Distillery workshop brought to you by Craft Spirits & Distilling and Craft Beer & Brewing. Over four days, you’ll learn what it takes to get a successful craft beverage business off the ground, through panel discussions, working group sessions, technical tours, and more. Get your ticket now at breweryworkshop.com.

Half a decade ago, FEW embarked on a project to explore the impact of fermenting with koji, a mold historically used for saccharification in sake and soy sauce, among other foods and drinks. Results were mixed at first, but through iteration and adaptation, FEW has landed on a process that works consistently and produces flavors that carry through distillation, producing flavor that’s worth the effort.

This episode is also an exit interview of sorts, as host Sydney Jones—current head distiller at FEW—brings her time there to a close before setting off for a new challenge with Heaven Hill in Kentucky. During their conversation, Sydney and Riley also discuss:

• challenges in balancing packaging style with speed, safety, efficiency, and reliability
• managing fermentation with small grains such as rice
• understanding the impact of yeast strains on distilled and aged spirits
• propping up and maintaining a koji culture
• pH adjustment and bacterial protection using citric acid
• finishing fermentation with temperature-friendly kveik yeast
• impacts of new and second-use oak on aging koji-fermented spirit

And more.

Brought to you by:
Techniblend Craft the perfect blend every time by enhancing the flavor profile of your spirits with TechniBlend’s state-of-the-art blending and batching technology. TechniBlend is the trusted partner of distilleries across the country, providing solutions for unparalleled accuracy and consistency in the distilled-spirits production process. Visit techniblend.com today to discover how our innovative solutions can redefine the art of distillation. TechniBlend: Blend the Best!

Crafted ERP: Is your brewery, distillery or, ... heck we’ll say it ... “brewstillery” looking for better control of production, finance, compliance, inventory, supply chain, etc.? You want a system that untaps your potential and future-proofs your strategy. You need total visibility into every aspect of your business—and you need it on demand. Visit CraftedERP.com to learn how Crafted meets you where you are today—and prepares you for everything that’s coming tomorrow. CraftedERP.com

Country Malt Group: Country Malt Group is proud to support craft distillers across North America with a carefully curated portfolio of the best everyday ingredients and supplies, including malt, adjuncts, fruit, yeast, and more! Visit CountryMalt.com/distilling to view their complete list of distilling products, resources, and podcast episodes.

Lotus Beverage Alliance: Say goodbye to the complexities of ordering equipment and supplies from multiple vendors, and say hello to the efficiency and simplicity offered by Lotus Beverage Alliance. This new alliance brings together craft-beverage industry powerhouses GW Kent, Alpha Brewing Operations, Stout Tanks and Kettles, Twin Monkeys Beverage Solutions, Brewmation, and Automated Extractions to provide an unrivaled portfolio of craft-beverage equipment and supplies. Experience the convenience of working with ONE vendor … ONE Source… for ALL of your craft-business needs. Visit LotusBevAlliance.com now and start streamlining your process today.