Rum

I think it's important not to limit our growth as small distillers to too small of annual production amount. Besides, odds are good that whatever we shoot for will get cut back in the legislative process. Best to try for something a bit bigger in terms of volume as we can always cut it back later if needed to get various goals accomplished. The big guys are going to be way over any amount we choose anyway.

The trick is to combine both. You've done a great job of that in your area, btw.

Columbia might have one to fit your needs. Take a look at this line of commercial boilers. http://www.columbiaboiler.com/commercial/GL_L/ Click on the pdf link for specs. One of them is right at about 400,000 btuh.

I suspect we can find more than a few examples of a lot of money being made producing alcohol. Most of them probably started out with money first though. For example, Sammy Hagar has done well with his Cabo Wabo tequila (now majority owned by Skyy). Speaking of Skyy, Maurice Kanbar founded it in 1992. He was a successful entrepreneur for a long time before that but he did pretty well with Skyy. Let's not forget Sidney Frank who started Grey Goose and sold it eight years later for $2 billion dollars. Not that I expect to see any of us do the same thing, but it has been done.

Does the TTB allow tasting for non-retail purposes on the bonded premises? For example, if I bring in a bunch of local bar tenders for a distillery tour can I serve samples?

I'm looking at bottles made in Mexico as an alternative to the Euro manufacturers. The quality isn't quite as impressive, but they are about half the price and can be ordered in smaller quantities. Anyone have experience with Mexican glass? Any downsides other than not being quite as nice as the Euro bottles?

I am in the middle of starting up a distillery in Sarasota, Florida to produce rum. The building is mostly prepped. Equipment is about to ship. Permitting is underway. Only about 500 other things to get done yet. I recognize a few names on the site from ADI's 2008 conference and other events. I look forward to participating. Troy Roberts Drum Circle Distilling Makers of Midnight Pass Rum

I have a 450L with an eight plate side column shipping any day now. It is from Christian CARL.