Corsair Artisan Distillery

Spirited
Corsair Artisan: unique liquors straight from Nashville.

There are no limits or constraints in the world of cocktails anymore. Both the traditional and the modern co-exist on countless cocktail lists. Across the country, bar chefs are concocting unique, handcrafted, and deliciously drinkable creations, and Memphis has by no means been passed over by this trend. We are seeing more and more artisanal spirits enter our market, giving both professional and amateur mixologists many options for their bar. House-made cordials, infusions, and spins on classics are popping up all over our city, but it’s still very much in its infancy.

Luckily, we have a full artillery of spirits to work with. Corsair Artisan, based in Nashville, produces an incredibly expressive battery of liquors, from absinthe to whiskey. It seems as though Corsair, founded in 2007, has come about in the very midst of the cocktail culture exploding across the country.

To read full article click here:  http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/spirited/Content?oid=2462821

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.

Bourbonblog.com reviews Corsair Triple Smoke Whiskey. Says Corsair has “some of the most innovative whiskeys we’ve ever tasted.”

http://www.bourbonblog.com/blog/2010/06/16/corsair-triple-smoke-whiskey-review/

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.

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.

NashvilleLifestyles.com has just compiled its list of the new hottest stuff in music city.  #10 on the list is Corsair’s Dreamcicle cocktail.  Check it out.

Party Source in Northern Kentucky is currently the exclusive provider of Corsiar Spirits in the area.  Their wine and spirits manager Jay Erisman recently reviewed Corsair RED – our unique and popular red absinthe.  Here is an excerpt:

Red absinthe is a small tradition in historical European absinthe, rather more common in Spain or Czech Republic than France. Sadly, while there are a number of oustanding artisanal green and blanche absinthes from Europe and, increasingly, America, most of the rouges are disappointing to absinthe connoisseurs, tending to artificial color and shrill flavor. But Corsair Red is cut from different cloth. Distiller Andrew Webber packs this cute little bottle full of real wormwood, citrus, and tarragon. After a proper infusion and redistillation of these herbs, there is a final infusion with hibiscus flowers. Corsair Red can hold its head up as an honest and traditionally crafted absinthe…and hold its own with Bourbon as a soulful product of the Bluegrass State.

Corsair also makes a terrific gin, full of juniper notes but joined with postmodern gin flavors of citrus oil and grains of paradise. In addition to the eventual whiskeys, partners Webber and Darek Bell make a potent spiced rum for the best Coke mixer ever. But really, it’s this Red absinthe that takes the cake, and Corsair has beaten some people to the punch in bringing it to market. Other absinthe producers must be green red with envy.

http://partysourceeq.com/2009/05/29/corsair-red-absinthe-kentucky-brews-a-new-spirit/

The Intoxicologist is one of the premier bloggers in the spirits world.  She recently got her hands on some Corsair’s award-winning Gin.  This is what she had to say:

Corsair Artisan Gin excites me for a few reasons:

· The creators/owners, Darek and Andrew, are small batch micro-distillers making grass roots products right here in the United States born of passion, enthusiasm and desire to bring quality products to a new generation of spirits enthusiasts.

· The logo speaks to that vision with its black and white bold simplicity and the air of free style untouchable spirit. This is a new generation laying claim to a new era of imbibing.

· Gin: It is breaking all the rules by going beyond the traditional martini of generations past. Corsair Artisan Distillery lightens the load of heavily junipered gins and brings back a garden fresh, citrusy to vegetative quality with hints of floral. Unexpected. Light. Refreshing. Beautiful.

Read the full review here: Corsair Artisan: Redefining a New Gin’eration

Corsair’s gin won the gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition!

From the SFWSC website:

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the first comprehensive, international spirits judging ever held in the United States on an annual basis. Founded in 2000 by directors of the San Francisco International Wine Competition, Anthony Dias Blue and Carol Seibert, the Spirits Competition continues each year to grow in entrants as well as stature within the industry.

http://www.sfspiritscomp.com/