Corsair Artisan Distillery

A few months ago Corsair expanded distribution into the California market.  That is great news for several reasons.  First, there are some spirits connoisseurs who are stoked to be able to get our products locally and we certainly want to share the love.  It also means that Internet sales of some Corsair bottlings are now available!  So now, people in the progressive states that allow the shipping of spirits can also enjoy our award winning libations.

Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa California has picked up our products and also has a very well established mail order business (They also featured our Absinthe in the July newsletter).  If you are interested in trying our products, but you don’t live in one of the states we currently distribute to, try Hi-Times.  We will keep you posted of other internet vendors as they become available.
In other News…

Corsair’s unaged whiskey was recently covered in an article in The Tennessean: Moonshine Goes Mainstream

Sometimes you hit a homerun on your first at-bat.  That is how we felt at Corsair we opened our first experimental barrel of aged 100% Rye whiskey.  Our customers seemed to like it too since they bought up the (unannounced) initial release in 10 days.

It seems there are other fans out there as well.  The spirits department at K and L Wines in California was so excited they ordered a future barrel’s worth of product.  Here is an except of their review:

Yesterday I got a sneak peak of what to expect when Corsair releases their 1 year old 100% rye this Fall.  One word – amazing! … I really like this new Corsair, even though it is a meager year in age, because they somehow managed to get it fairly rich to balance out the spice.  I had to taste it about three times to make sure I wasn’t missing something.  This has all the spice that you expect from rye, a suprisingly smooth entry, plenty of kick, and a long finish that doesn’t spit grain alcohol back into your tonsils.

You can read the whole review here.

Photo courtesy of K and L Wines.

It has only been a few years since absinthe was legalized in the United States.  In that time several distilleries have scrambled to put products on the market.  But instead of being just a trendy addition to a line of spirits, Corsair has been intentional about presenting our RED absinthe as one of our mainstays.  It is in our DNA.  It is a spirit that is complex and challenging, but always refreshing and satisfying.  Its not for everyone, but those who take the time to appreciate it are hooked.

Absinthe is regaining a following and Corsair is being noticed.  Check out this article from Nashville Metromix:

Absinthe is back at the bar

Here is a bit of what they have to say:

Corsair Artisan Distillery has been selling RED absinthe, which is colored and slightly flavored with hibiscus, for about nine months, making it the only rose absinthe manufactured and distributed in the U.S.

“Our company got going about the same time the U.S. ban was lifted, so it was one of those things where we said we could make a little and people would come and want to know about it,” says Andrew Webber, co-founder of Corsair, which is based in Nashville and has its current production facility in Bowling Green, Ky. (They’ll soon be moving into Marathon Village.) “It’s one of the most uncommon absinthes made in the world, so people have found use for our product, and it has its own uses in mixology.

“It’s been a stronger product than we expected,” Webber adds, citing traction for RED in cities such as Louisville, Ky., Atlanta and Seattle. “Mainly we made it because we could and it was fun.”

So, next time you’re feeling adventurous and looking for a new beverage experience, take the leap and give absinthe a spin. Reality will not morph uncontrollably around you.

The American Distilling Institute (ADI) recently held their annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky.  A major part of the event was a tasting competition that included over 65 small and mid-sized whiskey producers.  Corsair’s upcoming and experimental whiskeys made a strong showing by bringing home 5 medals (more than any other distillery).  The awards are as follows:

Gold Medal

• Cask Strength – Corsair Wormwood Wit Barrel Strength

Silver Medal

• Unaged Whiskey – Corsair Wry Moon
• Cask Strength – Triple Smoke

Bronze Medal

• Rye Whiskey – Corsair 100% Aged Rye
• Whiskey Idiosyncratic – Corsair Rasputin (Hopped Whiskey)

Corsair Artisan, the Nashville-based microdistillery has officially come home with the opening of its Nashville location in the Marathon Motorworks Village.  This historic building, located at 1200 Clinton St, is the former home of Yazoo Brewery.  This facility will provide the setting to brew all of the whiskey mash for Corsair’s mainstream and experimental whiskeys (By the way, we just filled 7 barrels with our forthcoming Triple Smoke Whiskey).  Our 240 gallon antique still is also on site and will allow us to distill in Nashville as well as in Bowling Green.

Photo courtesy of Nashville Restaurants

This new location will continue the taproom tradition set by Yazoo.  Stop by on Thursday (4-8), Friday (4-8) or Saturday (2-8) to try one our 16 regional craft beers and our appetizers, sandwiches and wraps.  (Click here for the full menu)

Here is what is currently being poured:

• Yazoo
  • Pale Ale
  • Hefeweizen
  • Dos Perros
  • Wassail
  • Sly Rye Porter
  • Onward Stout
• Abita Purple Haze
• BBC Nut Brown Ale
• Coney Island Lager (Kosher)
• Highland Kashmir IPA
• Left Hand Milk Stout
• Scrimshaw Pilsner
• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
• Terrapin Hop Karma
• Woodchuck Draft Cider

All beers and available by the pint or as a growler. (Click here for a detailed beer list)

Tours of the facility will be available in the near future.

For a great article on the opening of the taproom, check out the Nashville Restaurants blog.

That’s right!  People in the most populous state in the union now have access to Corsair’s fine line of spirits.  Thanks to a partnership with JVS imports, we are distributing our unaged spirits and whiskey in California.  Within weeks of arriving, we are already receiving great reviews.  Check out this piece from a San Fransisco blogger:

Appetite: 3 non-whisk(e)y highlights from Whiskies of the World

California is not the only West Coast state we are sharing the love with.  Thanks to J&C International, our Washington State brand managers, we have also expanded into the Oregon market and our spirits are now available there through special order.

Corsair continues to expand its distribution so you can have access to the best craft spirits available.

Corsair Artisan Distillery has added two more pieces of hardware to it quickly growing awards shelf.  This time with a gold and double gold medal for two of their whiskeys from the prestigious San Fransisco World Spirit Competition.

The Wry Moon Unaged Rye Whiskey won Double Gold (the highest honor) in the Miscellaneous Spirits category.  Meanwhile, the Triple Smoke Whiskey won Gold in the Other Whiskey Category.  You can find a complete list of SFWSC winners here.

The Wry Moon is currently being distributed to major markets while the Triple Smoke is still in the production process.  The later is expected to be released to a broad audience in the next 6-9 months.

These two awards join the following previous accolades:  Corsair Gin (2009 Gold Medal Winner, SFWSC | 2009 Gold Medal, World Beverage Competition), Rasputin Hopped Whiskey (2009 Platinum Medal Winner, World Beverage Competition), 100% Aged Rye (2010 Silver Medal, Beverage Tasting Institute), and Triple Smoke (2010 Gold Medal, Beverage Tasting Institute).

Two of Corsair’s recently crafted experimental whiskeys have recently been highly rated by the Beverage Tasting Institute.  The Triple Smoke Whiskey received gold medal with a score of 93 (exceptional) while the 100% Aged Rye Whiskey awarded a silver medal by scoring 89 (highly recommended).  You can read the BTI’s tasting notes below:

Corsair Single Barrel Triple Smoke American Straight Malt Whiskey $42.95.

Unusual aromas of smoked turkey jerky, toasted date bread, salty roasted nuts and bacon chocolate follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with hints of iodine, smoked peat, and toffee. Finishes with a long, herbal and grassy, almond brittle, smoke, and peppery spice fade. A very unique and fun smoked bourbon that is extremely tasty and reminiscent of a moderately peaty Islay Scotch whisky like Bruicchladdich.

Corsair Experimental Collection 100% Kentucky Rye Whiskey $29.95/375 ml.

Bright amber color. Interesting and bold aromas of nutmeg laced eggnog, roasted pecans, and glazed panettone follow through on a spry entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with zucchini bread, dusty rye grain, herbs, and exotic peppery spice notes. Finishes with a very hot, citrus zest, ginger powder, mineral and pepper fade. Very unique.

Both of these whiskeys are currently in production and will be released later this year along with the Rasputin Hopped Whiskey, which received a platinum rating (best in category) in the recent World Spirits Competition.

The following pictures were captured by Pete Rodman during a recent visit to our Bowling Green Distillery.

Corsair Gin

Alcohol begins to boil off during a test run of the 240 gallon wash still.

Ben pours Corsair's first aged whiskey: 100% Rye

Corsair currently has 6 spirits aging including rum, bourbon and several experimental whiskeys.

Rod fills the still for a new whiskey run.

Ben keeps an eye on the condensing coils.

Brady checks on the small still.

Corsair Artisan Distillery has just released our first aged products to the market including an aged whiskey.

After much anticipation, an aged version of the 100% rye mash bill was released.  This spirit spent over 4 months in a 5 gallon charred barrel during which time it picked up deep vanilla and caramel flavors to add to the rich grain notes and dark fruit sweetness that were present in the unaged version (previously released as Wry Moon).  Because of its limited release (only 67 bottles) this spirit is only available at the Corsair Distillery Giftshop for a retail price of $35.00.  It is currently only available in 375ml bottles.

The second product to be released is a unique Barrel Aged Gin, which has received rave reviews from test groups across the country.  We began with our standard gin and upped the juniper content to add some boldness to the final product.  We then aged it for 6 months in used barrels which previously held our Spiced Rum.  The result is a warming drink ideal for sipping.  The first flavors are peppery and bold that then transition to a refreshing finish with obvious evergreen and citrus notes.  A perfect winter drink.  Corsair Barrel Aged Gin is currently available at the Giftshop and in Washington State.  Further distribution is slated to begin soon.  Suggest retail price is $35.00 for 750ml.