Bartletts Distillery

We're considering opening another location. The ultimate goal would be to fully move to the new (bigger location.) The question is, can we open that second location under the same federal permit (state is another story), produce at both locations, then switch to the second location when the time is right?

Hey! We're looking for those same bottles too! If anyone has some, let me know! Cheers, Van Brackin Bartletts Distillery

OK, we just submitted the formula and they kicked it back because it contained more than 40 ppm of synthetic vanilla. So, do we just change the classification to a Distilled Spirits Specialty? Hey Dehner, is your Blue Ox classified as a Distilled Spirits Specialty? @Dehner Distillery

Thanks. At this point, I think we're going to forego the sugar. Sure, it makes the final product taste better when sipping alone, but we're not making a cordial. We're making something that will always be mixed with something else, usually something sweet. Feedback from our customers has been overwhelmingly positive (even without the added sugar.)

Another question on this Spiced Rum. If we have added sugar in our recipe, when do we proof to 80.0 proof? I.e. before or after adding the sugar? I guess I'm looking for a procedure something like this: 1. Proof to 80.0 proof 2. Add sugar 3. bottle OR 1. Proof to ~81.0 proof 2. Add sugar 3. Proof to 80.0 proof 4. bottle

We're working on our spiced rum and it will contain less than 2.5% total flavorings and caramel coloring. Will this product need a formula to be approved by the TTB? Also what is required on the label? Is "Spiced Rum" sufficient, or does it need to contain a statement "Rum Flavored with vanilla, almond, and other spices"? I've read through a lot of the TTB documents but still haven't been able to pinpoint a conclusive answer. Another question, does the addition of flavorings change the class & type designation to a "Flavored Rum"? It seems like it should, but maybe not?

Thanks for the responses. I finally got some ordered through Cortica Benicia USA for $49/1000 for plain capsules. I added my logo to the side and the Texas Star on top for a little extra. MOQ is 7,000 pc. of each color ordered. They should be heading this way either today or tomorrow. Cheers Van

I'm looking for a source of heat shrink capsules to use on our bartop 750ml Tennessee bottles. The suppliers I've been able to get in touch with have a 50,000 minimum order....I need like 5k at most. Also, the neck of the Tennessee is curved and the straight wine bottle capsules don't exactly fit as the should, nevermind they have an image of grapes pressed into the foil button on top. At any rate, I'm looking for a supplier of these capsules. Please help! cheers, Van Bartletts Distillery, LLC

We get ours from All American Container.

PM Sent.

I need one used whiskey barrel for "Whiskey stored one minute in reused cooperage". No joke...that's what the TTB had me put on the label of my White Dog Whiskey. I need a barrel that I can put the spirit in, then dump it out. I'm located near Houston, Texas. Van Brackin Bartletts Distillery, LLC Conroe, Texas

Which valves do you use? Type? P/N?

Welcome Eddie! I'm working on opening a distillery in Montgomery County, just north of Houston. I've got a location, my federal TTB permit and my state TABC license. Now, I'm working on the local issues, namely getting city water and sewer to the building. Apparently, this is bass-ackwards of how you're supposed to do it. I.e. you need to get the local issues ironed out 100% first, then move on to state and the feds. Best of luck! Van https://www.bartlettsdistillery.com https://www.facebook.com/bartlettsdistillery

What CFR limits you to scale weighing up to 55 gallon containers? Also, is the scale holding the container for finished spirits being bottled considered to be in a Class I Division 1 or Division 2 area? That is, do these scales need to be "explosion proof"?

DONE! 100 DAYS!

They responded today...not with a phone call, but an email with a request for about five things. I've spent the last few hours working on a response and am about ready to upload the files. HLS, this is getting REAL.

So, I'm just a couple months away from production and need to start on my label design. Did you guys do for your first label design? I've got some ideas and have seen what's required on the label, but don't really know where to start for the design.

I applied for my TTB license on 10/7/17 and it was logged in on 10/10/17 and assigned to "TBD". And there it has sat ever since. I've tried calling the TTB and left my third message today. How long does it take them to call you back? Is there another way of getting some information on the status of my application? Van Brackin Bartletts Distillery, LLC Conroe, TX

Bartletts Distillery, Montgomery County Texas. Submitted: 10/07/2017 10:00 AM CST , registered into TTB on 10/10/17 Approved 01/18/18 100 days

Well folks, it finally happened…we finally closed on our property for the new Bartletts Distillery. The location is at 1303 Beach Airport Road, deep in the heart of Montgomery County in Conroe, Texas. Today, we took posession of the property once the loan funded and I'll pick up the keys from the title company in the morning. It's been an extremely long road to get to this point. We looked at MANY properties and actually pursued several. They all fell through for one reason or another. I finally found this property up in Conroe. While I had originally planned on leasing, this was a purchase too good to pass up. It has two buildings, allowing me to store enough in barrels without having to have sprinklers. It's got access to city utilities, and it's not next to a church, school, or hospital. Hey, if you're in Montgomery County, Texas, that can really limit your options sometimes. We first viewed the property on April 28, 2017, and it took FIVE MONTHS to close on the property. At first it was issues with the seller needing to clean the property before we could have it inspected. Then it was getting a loan on my part. In the end, after beating down all the walls, dodging all the bullets, and leaping over all the pits, we finally got it closed on Friday, September 29, 2017 and it funded today. We have a lot of work to do before we can start cooking booze. Order still, paperwork, spend money, paperwork, tear out, paperwork, clean up, spend money, paperwork, file for federal DSP, file for state, spend money, more paperwork, more cleaning & remodeling and spend more money. I’m ordering a 100 gallon 4-plated still from Paul Hall at Affordable Distillery Equipment. It’s not a huge still, but it’s big enough to get us going without the huge expense of a boiler room. That’ll come later. Once I get the serial numbers, then I can apply for the Federal DSP permit. I'm also ordering some goodies for the online store. My accountant says I need SOME income this year for tax purposes. Selling tee shirts does qualify as income. Woohoo! Here we go! bartlettsdistillery.com Cheers! Van

Cool! (pun intended) I don't have anything short term, but it's good to know this is an option down the road. I could see a system where you have a 190F hot liquor tank, suitably sized so you can use it to preheat a wash from 75F to say 140F+ as you load the still. This is, of course, in addition to using the hot water for mashing. As a mechanical engineer, I certainly can appreciate the efficieny of this type of setup over spending money to heat and cool separately. Reminds me of my uncle who had a swimming pool heater that was run on the home's air conditioner's waste heat.

That's very interesting Mike. Tell us more!

WT, believe me, I tried that. Once you get away from a major metropolitan area, small industrial spaces that have access to enough water for a sprinker system gets extraordinarily difficult, or impossible. I could not find any location for lease under 5000 sq.ft. that had utilities (water, electricity, gas) that wasn't near a church, school, or public hospital. Sure, I could lease a small space and get a a tiny still. But, it's not profitable when you can't store more than 120 gallons. Banks don't like business that loose money either. At this point, I'm neck deep into this property, and am even considering purchasing the small house next door for a tasting room / office.

Fortunately, Mike, slide rules were out by the time I got to college. We all had HP48's with RPN. Initially, the reverse Polish notation took some getting used to, but turned out to be great for Engineering work. Loan #3 fell through. I'm done dealing with individual banks and now have two brokers working on my case. It may turn out that I have to purchase the property without any capital for startup. This would mean I get the property and a really small still (~50 gallon) just to apply for the license. Once I get the license, then I get another loan for upgrading equipment for bigtime production. Sucks, but that's sort of what I'm looking at now.

No problem...I'm an Engineer and can fart 10MB at will!