rumfarmer

didn't get the message. text me at 808-224-7505.

Want to move to Hawaii? I am losing my intern in December

So glad to hear this was a productive glass. Looking forward to seeing Steve and Sherman at my distillery in a couple of weeks.

You have picked the only place in America where the economy is booming, so I think your chances are good. Listen to the voice of the customer, buy the biggest still you can afford, and don't skimp on quality of product and marketing.

Yay!!!

Good luck!

Call me if you like and I can give you the contact information for the Chinese bottle manufacturers I tried. My bottle issue was very specific. They might be able to do better with your bottle. I can say the clarity of the glass was outstanding. Just as good as the European stuff. They just couldn't pull off the shape I wanted. Robert 808 224 7505

I tried two Chinese manufacturers. Both claimed they could pull off my bottle. Each had multiple chances and simply couldn't do it after months and months of trying. They got close, but they just don't have the same capabilities as the Europeans. In the end, I got Saver Glass to make the bottle. Costs twice as much as what the Chinese offered, but they can get it right. There is not much risk with most Chinese manufacturers. They don't hit you up too much for development costs. Just be prepared to spend a lot of time at it with them.

I see a lot of people doing the San Francisco World Spirits competition. I am surprised more people on the forum aren't giving feedback. I know lots and lots of people here are in the competitions. I think there might be a bit of a worry that it will get harder and harder to get a meaningful award with so many craft distillers entering the marketplace entering the competitions. Many of these places pretty well guarantee some kind of recognition if you are willing to pay the entrance fee. Ultimately, I think it depends on your market as to the value you gain. If you think your customers are the type well swayed by a medal, then do it. If you fail to get recognized, no one is any the wiser. Entrance for San Francisco is under $500 plus a couple of bottles of your stuff.

Anyone doing variable proof per batch or barrel out there? Pros, cons, TTB issues, general opinions...

I should be fully operational and doing limited tours by Jan/Feb. If you want to extend your trip out to Hawaii, I'd be happy to show you around. My beginnings are not unlike yours. I too left technology to do something more tangible. You can come at a time when I am working out the kinks Manulele Distillers Kunia, Hawaii (Oahu)

I suggest you call the TTB directly if you are having trouble with the reports. They are extremely helpful in my experience.

I have a sample of this bottle and it is really, really nice.

Just experiment. I think the most typical method is to add a spice bag into the barrel or stainless thank, though. Just play around. Where is your distillery? There's Hagar out here distilling, but I think he is more like Hagar47.

Ours are also members. That wasn't a problem.

My understanding is that anything in excess of 9% required the OOI. We did maximum share blocks of 9% for our raise for this reason. No OOI needed for any of the 3 investors we took on.

Love this video.

Very cool and congratulations! What are you making?

I've had my DSP for a year now, and I am still not in production. 9 months sounds like a dream to me. Good luck!

DMA 35 is NOT approved by the TTB for gauging, but it is a nice thing to have around if you have the budget.

I don't know how everyone else feels about this ongoing debate, but I like the innovation. To me, the craft comes not from the still, but from the overall process. I grow my own cane, but I have no dogmatic view that if you don't also grow your own inputs you aren't truly a craftsman. I started out handling the first couple of acres on my own, but now I have a farmer who manages the growing. The fact that I don't water and maintain my fields doesn't make my product less of a farm-to-bottle product. Creating something great requires time and patience. Automation and innovation are brilliant because they free up time to try new things. Kudos to you, Jim.

Really cool video and write up. Congrats!

This is an extremely interesting thread. People are all over the map, as they should be in such a rapidly growing industry. The old timers with either multi-generational distilling backgrounds or advanced degrees want one thing, the 4 day workshop entrepreneurs want something else, and we are all in it together. In the end, quality, branding, and a bit of luck will carry the day. No single label will matter, imho. Craft, Artisan, Micro, whatever.... Aren't COLAs hard enough to deal with? I don't need any more hoops or regulations. What I would like is action to help deregulate this industry and make it easier for more and more to enter and try new things. What I love about this field is there is really not much dogma. People are out there trying just about anything with all kinds of different still designs, different barrels, infusions, ingredients, you name it. Some will become Tito's, others will be selling their equipment on this very forum after blowing their life savings on a dream that didn't pan out. I like it when we don't get in each other's way and we sort of share our experiences and wisdom without arrogance. Maybe I say that because I have little practical experience and I like to avoid making the same mistakes everyone else has already made I rely a great deal on the relationships and mentorship that I have found on these forums. I appreciate all of the dedicated folks out there willing to contribute. As I grow, I hope I can stay connected and contribute as the hours become fewer and fewer in my day. Just my 2 cents. Cheers and Aloha.

No A'a on Oahu, or I would give it a go! Ocean Vodka now claims to be fully solar on Maui. Not sure if it's true or not. I would really like to use more solar. LP is crazy expensive in Hawaii. Was looking a parabolic solar arrays using Sopogy MicroCSP, but just seems like another expense at the moment. Need to get the process working on the grid before moving off of it.

Congrats and good luck!