A Craft Distiller : )

How many consumers know to care about how their spirits are made? Big Liquor and Big Beer sell a lot of booze. Thanks to marketing. They tell the consumer what is important and many times it works. Craft distillers don't have this luxury. But either way, that does mean that the Big Boys don't have people who have every right to call themselves master distillers. These people are present in big distillers and small ones. This is part of my point also - These established programs tell potential employers (the distilleries) that this candidate has a certain level of proficiency and makes it easier to pick them out of piles of resumes. If this distilling movement gets off the ground here in the US a similar program will be very important to have. And I understand that if you have gone through these programs how you would feel that those who haven't shouldn't have a the right to use the title. I see where you can feel a sense of entitlement. But honestly, Take 2 people - Person 1 went through the established program in the UK, worked under a master distiller for a number of years, learned the ropes from experts in their field and then awarded the title Master Distiller. Person 2 doesn't have access to this program, buys the equipment, learns how everything works, creates recipes from scratch through trial and error. Learns what works and what doesn't and then begins producing products that are innovative and well received by the consuming public. Grows a business to a point that these products have to produced at a certain level of efficiently to keep up with demand. Is person 1 entitled to the title over person 2? I think "street cred" has to be considered. Especially somewhere where these established programs don't exist. Even where they do, it seems a little snobby to say that someone who didn't pay tuition for their credentials shouldn't get the same respect.

One quick note to this tread. I know that Craft Distiller is being claimed. BUT - microdistilling is also trademarked. Some oil company trademarked it for some process that they came up with. We seem to be running out of things to call ourselves!!!

Well - congrats to Bill for getting people fired up about something. Congrats to Mr Cowdery also since he is the one that wrote the piece. The whole issue about Holsteins and pot stills probably belongs in another thread. It is irrelevant to the discussion of using the title Master Distiller. I appreciate the - how would you say it - romanticism. But, it is hard to have this discussion about when someone should use the term, when the big American Whiskey distilleries are using the term as loosely as they do. Why challenge the craft distillers on it's use? Why not challenge the big boys about why they give brand ambassadors the title? And even question the use of the term when the distiller is really just being a steward of a recipe? If your job is be make sure the product tastes the same as it has for 150 years, are you a master distiller or simply a QC Manager? I am not trying say anything about the skills of the Master Distillers at these large distilleries. I am just wondering why some of you are trying to judge us with a different set of criteria... So, should we set some standard? It would be nice, but be honest - it is only important to the marketers. If you can't tell a different story than the next product on the shelf, talk about your "Certified" Master Distiller. And what about the criteria? Should it be based on quality? Who's the judge? I have had Scotch that most people would not consider good. Should that distiller lose his title? If he's been doing it for 30 years - he's a master right?? Should a brew master that has never won a beer competition be stripped of his or her title? Or do they have to wait to get a good rating from someone before getting the title? Knowing how ratings are given - that would not be good criteria either. Look - I use the title Master Distiller. I pulled out the checkbook one day and bought a still (a Holstein for that matter), but I know the science and technical side of distilling better than most people who are getting into the business. I've produced award winning products. I have not be doing this for 25 years. Should I use the title? Should I judge someone for using the term themselves?? If the consumer likes the product, hasn't the distiller mastered something?? One last thought - Having a standard for the term is really only good on an industry level. If you are trying to hire someone, it would be nice to know that if they used the title of master distiller they have reached a certain level of proficiency. Though is still does not mean that they can make anything that tastes good. Okay – summary thought - this is a difficult subject because distilling is not like being a plumber or electrician. Those crafts can easily define the term master, because the standard of quality for them is very objective. The plumbing is right or your basement floods. Our craft is very subjective. Some people will love your products, others will not...

Did Saver offer a list of distributors that you could contact? I would think someone would have some of those bottles available. I wonder if there is a way to create a CO-OP where we can purchase as a large group to help bring done the cost of products that we need and make it easier to guarantee that things like bottles are avaiable when we need them..

QUESTION... Are replies automatically posted or do they go through a review before others can see it????? If it is reviewed, who will have to review the replies Guy or Bill?

The reason I suggested talking the the regional office, is b/c a copy of your transfer in bond goes to the regional office. So I assume they are the ones that are responsible for keeping track of transfers. From what I can see, wine and distilled spirits "groups" have forms for transfering alcohol in bond. Beer doesn't. But 5100.16 just needs a "plant number". Even though breweries don't have DSP permits, They are under bond and have their own permit number. The form is only a paper trail for the TTB for tracking their revenue. The form allows them to do it.

Are you trying to contact your specialist in Cincinnati or your field inspector. You should ask your field inspector or contact the regional office. I would think that you could use the Transfer in bond form.

I am not sure if this works.... AM I YELLING NOW??? coo'