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.
Thanks to the great reception of our spirits in area stores, we have responded to the request to offer our products in the larger 750ml sizes. Stores in Tennessee and Kentucky can now request these from their distributors.
One of the first stores to offer these is Nashville Wine and Spirits on Harding Pike.
Picture Credit: Nashville Wine and Spirits
Corsair Artisan spirits, brainchild of Nashvillians Derek Bell and Andrew Webber, is one of a growing number of microdistilleries representing the spiritual heirs of the small batch bourbons of the 1990s. For the moment, Corsair’s vanilla vodka, absinthe, spiced rum and small-batch gin are brewed in Bowling Green and marketed from 37205, but a recent change in state law reported in Nashvillepost.com will likely allow Bell and Webber to move production to Nashville.Four Corsair quaffs made an appearance at a party. The bartender poured up a massive 3-to-1-ratio drink of the Red Absinthe and water. The absinthe has a huge nose of florals and licorice and a subtle taste alongside a mighty fist of alcohol. It wasn’t the Pernod or Ricard I expected–it’s a spirit for mixing. The 56 percent alcohol content confirms that you wouldn’t drink it neat. If you were normal.
With that in mind, my next order was the vanilla vodka with a Coke, for a double shot of vanilla (for that is Coke’s primary flavoring) that tasted like a grown-up Coke float. You know, minus the ice cream and plus the potential for saying something you regret later.
After reading the website’s description of the gin manufacturing, I regret not having tried it. It’s still possible, though: Corsair products are available at Midtown Wine and Spirits and CoolSprings Wine and Spirits.
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.
We make very small batches of spirits – just a few cases at a time – in our pot stills. Everything’s done by hand, from production to bottling.
Gin-Head Style Gin: We make our gin in very small batches using our hand-hammered gin-head pot still. This uncommon step makes our gin crisp and very smooth on the finish. We’re proud to use an unusual mix of traditional botanicals, all sustainably harvested, to give our gin a unique and refreshing character.
Vanilla Bean Vodka: We’re proud to use whole bourbon vanilla beans – the best fair trade beans we can find – to give our vodka all the richest, most authentic notes of real vanilla. The resulting spirit is more savory than you may expect, a terrific match for both sweet and dry drinks. And perfect by itself.
Spiced Rum: Our small batch spiced rum has an unusual character. We use several types of citrus peel and whole vanilla beans while going easy on our other spices and botanicals (all sustainably harvested). The result is a rum that plays well with others — a lot of flavor that doesn’t overwhelm.
Red Absinthe: We’ve started with traditional 1800′s recipes and herbs to give our absinthe superieure the clean notes of a classic blanche. Then we tweak with the unusual, including citrus, tarragon (Dragon Wormwood, a relative of the Grand Wormwood we use), and red Hibiscus for floral tones and color. We’re pleased to share this unique result with you.
Wry Moon Unaged Rye Whiskey: Made in very small batches, we’re proud to use our antique whiskey wash still then our handmade pot still to craft this unaged rye whiskey. These hand worked stills preserve the peppery, spicy cereal taste of rye which we love, resulting in a moonshine full of character.
Coming soon: Kentucky 4-grain Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, Bourbon