In this episode focused on distilling in Florida—host Sydney Jones’ old stomping grounds—she reconnects with industry friends Ric deMontmollin and Zack Wildrick from St. Augustine Distillery (https://www.staugustinedistillery.com) and City Gate Spirits (https://www.citygatespirits.com/home). The ...
In this episode focused on distilling in Florida—host Sydney Jones’ old stomping grounds—she reconnects with industry friends Ric deMontmollin and Zack Wildrick from St. Augustine Distillery (https://www.staugustinedistillery.com) and City Gate Spirits (https://www.citygatespirits.com/home). The high-heat, high-humidity environment there poses challenges for barrel aging St. Augustine’s whiskey, while the flavored moonshines of City Gate aim to evoke experiential memories for both the locals and tourists who flock to the distillery in season.
Over the course of the episode, the three discuss:
data-driven whiskey aging in Florida’s climate
aging concerns where the barrels’ internal temp never falls below 78°F (26°C)
avoiding excessive loss via evaporation
visually identifying potentially great single-barrel picks
making lean cuts for whiskey that ages well in the hot environment
finding authentic regional expression in flavored spirits from a neutral grain base
adjusting for year-to-year changes in the citrus crop
finding the sweet spot between audience, passion, and competency
building taste experiences for customers with specific spirit preferences
And more.
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