High End Spirits
Locals Use Creativity and Innovations For High-End Spirits
By Rebecca Calappi / Photography by Mike Ferdinande
After craft beer brewers loosened legislation for making spirits, craft distilling became a rising star. In 2000, there were only a few dozen craft distillers in the United States. Fast forward to today, that number tops 2,000 and 53 are in Michigan.
Craft distillers are inventing new flavor profiles and appealing to an even wider audience than ever before—all while working within the confines of the law. Whiskey (spelled with an “e” unless it’s made in Ireland, then it’s “whisky”) must be made with at least 51 percent corn and aged for at least two years in a new American white oak barrel that’s been charred. Distilled, the spirit must be 80 percent alcohol or less and barreled at 62 percent or less.
Whether creating whiskey, vodka, gin, rye, bourbon or rum, Local POUR distillers take innovation to the next level and their speakeasy atmospheres will keep you coming back for more.
VALENTINE DISTILLING CO., FERNDALE
In 2007, Rafino Valentine left his Wall Street job determined to start a company that didn’t sacrifice quality. Today, Valentine Distilling Co. creates award-winning vodka, gin and whiskey using old-world techniques. “We source what we can around Michigan,” said Heather DeLiso, general manager, Valentine Distilling Co. “The idea is to have a local supply line. And because we don’t use additives, our spirits are gluten-free.”
Valentine Distilling Co. offers two vodkas, two gins and two whiskeys. Each spirit has its own personality and uniqueness that sets it apart from the others. Whether you’re a fan of the White Blossom vodka flavored with elderflower and grapefruit, the Liberator gin or the Mayor Pingree whiskeys, you know you’re drinking a quality beverage.
Valentine also has a strong “green” initiative to leave less of a footprint and more of an impression. Valentine has a farm-to-still-to-farm program with grain. Farmers send milled grain to the distillery, then Valentine sends back the mash for feed.
MOTOR CITY GAS DISTILLERY, ROYAL OAK
If whiskey is your preferred spirit, Motor City Gas Distillery is the place for you.
“We’re specific to bourbon and whiskey, and we produce over 65 different types,” said Rich Lockwood, owner and head distiller at Motor City Gas Distillery. “With us, the difference is in the raw materials we’re sourcing. The big guys are using GMO corn; we’re trying to bring heirloom grains back. At each step, there’s more of a hands-on craft approach. A lot of guys are using column stills and computers. With craft distillers, you’ll see old-world pot stills. We’re not as automated and computerized. We’re using smell and taste as our guide to rectify that spirit.”
Lockwood experiments with barrels and different levels of char to create new flavors in his whiskey, bourbon and rye. He also crushes the grains at the distillery the morning they cook, which is easy since Motor City Gas is one of the only farm distilleries in the state.
BITTER TOM’S DISTILLERY, LAKE ORION
Bitter Tom’s started as a distillery and evolved to a sit-down establishment in downtown Lake Orion in December 2019. Their outdoor patio has the best view of Paint Creek around. “We distill vodka, two bourbons, gin and soon, tequila,” said Sharon Bosley, owner of Bitter Tom’s. “We have specialized crafts, brands and infusions. You can put anything in it these days. That’s what makes craft cocktails stand out.”
Bosley said by far their most popular drink is the Old Fashioned followed closely by the Cosmopolitan and Manhattan. But making spirits isn’t just about the liquid result. It’s about the grains that go into the process—corn, wheat, rye and barley. So, in addition to learning about making spirits, many distillers, like Bosley, choose the grains they use for their product.
“One of our biggest things is a lot of distillers buy already blended alcohol. We actually go pick out organic grains. We go to the farms and pick it out ourselves,” she said.
There’s more Local POUR distillers and crafters that have added distilling to their craft offerings. Be sure to check out the new Weiss Distilling Co. in downtown Clawson, featuring its Vanishing Vodka, Straightjacket Gin, Royal Rum, and Jolt To The Senses Moonshine. There’s also a Michigan favorite, featured in our Craft Crawl, Traverse City Whiskey Co., in Ferndale.
Another Michigan favorite winery is also a distillery – St. Julian Winery and Distillery in Troy offering a variety of flavored vodkas and rums, brandy and, cask-strength bourbon. Look for the cocktail glass on the Crafter Index to see distilleries in our Local POUR area.