We had a great time on Sunday January 29th presenting the first one day distilling school. We had 28 folks from all over the country come to Little Rock to learn about distilling. We covered topics like the permitting process to bottling and packaging. Also we had a live [...]]]>

We had a great time on Sunday January 29th presenting the first one day distilling school. We had 28 folks from all over the country come to Little Rock to learn about distilling. We covered topics like the permitting process to bottling and packaging. Also we had a live demonstration of mashing a whiskey mash and in the afternoon we distilled a whiskey mash.

Here’s the feedback we received from the guys that attended:

“Every one was friendly and knowledgeable.”

“It was well thought out and organized.”

“I enjoyed meeting others in the class who are interested in distilling as a hobby or profession. The live distillation demo was also great.”

“The ability to walk through the full process step by step and actually see most of it being done. Also being able to see and learn from a real world example of someone’s experience as a startup.”

“Phil you did a great job! The brief overview was great. It gave us enough to think about things. I liked doing it on a Sunday worked out nice for travel. I really think you under charged for what we got.”

“good broad coverage”

“HANDS ON , EVERY STEP OF THE PROCESS SHOWN. GOOD BUSINESS REVIEW, SHOWED ALL OF THE RECORD KEEPING REQUIRED.”

“The ongoing live demonstration was very well done.”

“The tasting of the cuts coming off the still.”

“Hand on learning Good info. concerning all of the government crap”

“Professional presentation skills were in evidence. Slides were neither too complex nor info-less”

“I really enjoyed the attention to detail and commentary on how different distillers use different approaches, as well as what worked well (or didn’t).”

Well, I’m finally getting around to jotting down my notes from WhiskyFest Chicago.

This was my first trip to Chicago since our product went on sale there, so it was great to be able to meet the folks we’ve been working with.

Thursday night was the “world of [...]]]>

Well, I’m finally getting around to jotting down my notes from WhiskyFest Chicago.

The view from our table at Binny's

This was my first trip to Chicago since our product went on sale there, so it was great to be able to meet the folks we’ve been working with.

Thursday night was the “world of whiskeys” event at Binny’s Lincoln Park. We poured samples along with about 200 other whiskey producers. It was a great event and the attendance was phenomenal.

Arkansas Lightning on the shelf in Chicago

Friday night was Whisky Fest. If you haven’t been to Whiskey Fest and you like Whiskey you definitely need to make a point to go. It’s like a candy store for whiskey drinkers. Every imaginable brand is there pouring samples. There are also seminars to learn more about whiskey. I attended two seminars: Glenmorangie and Heaven Hill. The seminars were fun and informative, but tasting the whiskey was the best part.

Parker Beam at the Heaven Hill Seminar

The Glenmorangie Academy

I also got my picture taken with Jimmy Russell the Master Distiller from Wild Turkey

Phil Brandon and Jimmy Russell

Later that night we headed over to Delilah’s for the WhiskyFest afterparty. There we had “old fashioned’s” made by none other that Julian Van Winkle. The funny thing was that Julian and his son Preston were in Little Rock just the week before and came by the distillery for a look around.

All in all it was a great trip and I look forward to going again next year!

Julian Van Winkle making Old Fashioneds at Delilah's in Chicago

Preston Van Winkle, Phil Brandon, Julian Van Winkle at Rock Town Distillery in Little Rock

As I’m sure you’re probably aware, our first batch wasn’t an award winner. We produce our products in small batches and it has taken time to hone in our craft and start producing really good stuff. Luckily, we got it figured out just in time for competition season.

I haven’t blogged in quite a while, it’s been crazy around here during the holidays. It’s truly hard to believe that 2010 is almost over… this time last year I was working on getting bids from contractors to build the distillery and by July we were up and running [...]]]>

I haven’t blogged in quite a while, it’s been crazy around here during the holidays. It’s truly hard to believe that 2010 is almost over… this time last year I was working on getting bids from contractors to build the distillery and by July we were up and running and here I sit in the distillery that was only in my dreams a few short months ago. We’re constantly working to improve our processes as we look to expand into new markets in 2011. I want to thank everyone for their support as we go together through this adventure.

Today we are filtering our 6th batch of Vodka while we distill our 6th batch of Bourbon. Here’s to 2010 and come on 2011!

Wow… this is really cool… check out the magazine: Today’s Man

Bill Owens passed through Arkansas yesterday and today as a part of his world tour. He’s working on a book about cooperages and today I took him down to Hot Springs to meet Jay Gibbs at Gibbs Brothers Cooperage.

Here’s a picture of the three of us:

Bill Owens passed through Arkansas yesterday and today as a part of his world tour. He’s working on a book about cooperages and today I took him down to Hot Springs to meet Jay Gibbs at Gibbs Brothers Cooperage.

Here’s a picture of the three of us:

Jay Gibbs, Bill Owens, and Phil Brandon

I sent a bottle of our batch 2 gin in to bevx.com for review a couple of weeks ago… and the results are in… Yesterday the review was posted – 4 stars – “excellent”!!

You can checkout the review here.

Today I met Dr. David McCoy, “the Scotch Doc” and got to see his amazing collection of whiskey memorabilia and taste some prohibition era prescription whiskey. This bottle was distilled in 1917 and bottled in 1932. The only way to get whiskey legally during prohibition was by prescription. [...]]]>

Today I met Dr. David McCoy, “the Scotch Doc” and got to see his amazing collection of whiskey memorabilia and taste some prohibition era prescription whiskey. This bottle was distilled in 1917 and bottled in 1932. The only way to get whiskey legally during prohibition was by prescription. The Scotch Doc even has an original copy of a prohibition era prescription from a doctor and the tax card that went with it. The prescription read 3 tablespoons per day. Below I’m taking my “medicine”!

Think about it… this was bottled 78 years ago! It was as smooth and mellow as any fine bourbon you can find today.

Had a great crew on Sunday that helped bottle our second batch of Gin. We packed 54 cases or 324 bottles in just over an hour!