Distiller’s Perspective

This ACSA Innovation Award–winning shochu brings the Japanese-style spirit into a cocktail-focused range with higher ABV and lighter flavor profile.

Founded a little more than a decade ago by Opolo Vineyards in Paso Robles, California, Willow Creek Distillery has a reputation for its award-winning brandies. Here, U.S. Marine turned head distiller Kevin Coulton explains their approach to high-quality fruit-based spirits—from sourcing fruit to making use of saignée. As told to Ryan Pachmayer.

In Golden, Colorado, State 38 Distilling recently marked a decade of producing agave spirits. Here, co-owner and managing partner Don Hammond discusses the challenges, process, and goals of producing “drinkably different” American agave.