5masts

Hi Lynn.

I, too, and from Southside Virginia and am a woman, though not a distiller as of yet! I have been reasearching the distilling industry, and have also attended workshops. I am currently working on a business plan. Maybe one day!!

Good luck with your endeavor. Just wanted to say hello - from another Southern Virginian!

Sharon

Hi Sharon!

I am so excited to hear from someone else in the area who is interested in distilling! Although I loved doing distillations as a student and a teacher, I never thought about doing as a business until about a year ago. I have wanted to start a woman owned business and was looking for a way to work with some of our local farmers. We also recently returned to live in Southside and I can't imagine why we ever left the area, so I really wanted to find a way to never need to move again. Anyway, that is my motivation for wading though all the details and paperwork that seems to be involved!

Where are you in Southside? I would love to hear your plans and hopefully we can run into each other! Best of luck to you as well,

Lynn

Dear Lynn,

Welcome to the ADI Forum, and to this industry. If gender matters, I know of a woman here in Washington who is just now starting, too. Margot Arellano from Sandoval Spirits in Tieton, WA will be making fruit eau-de-vie. I have yet not seen her on this forum, however.

The camaraderie here is phenomenal and I think we all pledge that you will be shown such a great level professional courtesy as we watch your project develop! Contribute often, and soon you'll lose the "Newbie" status.

All the very best,

Rusty

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome! I really appreciate all the direction you are giving me and will follow up with those contacts.

Lynn

Michigan Brewing Company has some stills set up under an experimental license. I don't recall whether the license is in their name or through Michigan State University, who they partner with, but you may want to give them a call.

We thought about an experimental license but decided against it. Our decision was based on wanting cash flow sooner rather than later, which might not be a concern for you.

Thanks Andrew, this is very helpful and I may be calling them soon. The experimental license is attractive for me because I think I need to work on my recipe before my financing!

Lynn

Gillian Howell is distiller at Penderyn in Wales. She showed my family around Penderyn a few months ago and they have been pitching Penderyn visits to anyone who will listen since then. Wish I'd been able to hop the pond and make the trip.

Thanks!

Has anyone started off with an experimental license from the TTB? I have not spoken with anyone who has actually done it this way, but several people in the industry (lawyers, new distillers) have recommended I take this path, including the TTB representative I spoke with last week. Is there any benefit, or am I just creating a headache for myself down the road?

Lynn

Hi Lynn,

Dori from the Polished Palate here...

There are precious few women distillers around the globe. Probably the most famous is Lorena Vasquez, MD of Ron Zacapa Rum--in Guatemala. Joy Spence has been Master Blender of Appleton Rums for years. And, I believe there is one in Scotland and in Wales. One of the Vodkas (I believe Turi, but I'm not 100% certain). And, I know there's a woman Master Blender in Bourbon Country but her name escapes me at the moment (as welll as her employer's company name)

Thanks Dori, good to hear that this craft is not totally devoid of women. I noticed that I sort of stuck out at the workshops I have attended! However, everyone has been very supportive and helpful and this forum seems like a great place to learn more.

Hi, this is Lynn from southside Virginia. I am former chemistry teacher who is trying to get a start in distilling. I am working on an application for an experimental license from the TTB while I work out the kinks. Have any of you gone this route? I too would like to purchase an experimental still and would love to hear any recommendations.

Also, are there any other women distillers out there?