"Blackwater Distilling new refuge for old art"
A new Maryland-based venture is returning the Free State to its historic roots as a distilling center. On Feb. 15, the Eastern Shore-based Blackwater Distilling, Inc. became the state's first licensed beverage alcohol distillery in nearly 30 years.
Founded by brothers Christopher and Jonathan Cook of Annapolis, the micro-distillery will use locally-grown grain to produce its inaugural vodka line, available later this year. More super-premium products, including a gin and whiskey, are planned for future release. Blackwater Distilling will initially distribute its liquors throughout Maryland, with increasing coverage as production capacity expands.
With their partner Mark Troxler, the Cook brothers have worked to build connections between the brand and the state's once-celebrated roots in distilling, working to attract a large local and regional following. All fermentation will use either locally grown grain or traditional Maryland agricultural ingredients. Natural spring water from within the state will be used as well.
This will allow Blackwater Distilling, named for the famous Eastern Shore wildlife refuge, to produce a superior product while helping to sustain traditional livelihoods in agricultural communities. Natural bi-products of distillation, known as distillers dried grains, or DDG's, will also be utilized as feed for local farmers. Blackwater Distilling will exclusively use traditional hand-crafted European distilling equipment.
Though Blackwater Distilling is a new firm, its potential has already been recognized on a national level. Inc. Magazine named Blackwater Distilling the winner of its first annual small business "Bake-Off." Saluting Blackwater Distilling's entrepreneurial vision, the magazine awarded the company marketing support from the New York City-based Hanft Raboy & Partners.
Micro-distilling has emerged as the hottest trend in beverage alcohol production over the past 15 years, with the number of micro-distilleries expected to exceed 130 in 2008. The market is largely located on the West Coast, where it has met with widespread success. The East Coast has far fewer small distilleries, but appears to hold at least as much potential.
In the early days of the United States, distilling was centered largely in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Not until the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 did distillers begin moving to Kentucky and Tennessee. Prohibition spurred the final decline of the Maryland liquor industry. Intense research has led the spirits enthusiasts at Blackwater Distilling to conclude something wonderful and unique was lost with the extinction of the local distilling industry. One of their goals is to restore Maryland to its historic distilling roots. Honoring that heritage, the company's logo design combines elements of the actual signatures of the four Marylanders who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Formed in October 2005, Blackwater Distilling has since focused largely on business planning, site selection, marketing, education and evaluating funding options. A large team of experienced support personnel was formed to help mitigate business risk. A Board of Directors was formed shortly afterward. In addition to the three principals, the board includes Richard Cook and David Carney, both successful small businessmen who serve the company in an advisory capacity.
For more information on Blackwater Distilling, Inc., please contact Blackwater C.E.O. Christopher Cook at info@blackwaterdistilling.com. Blackwater Distilling, Inc., (www.blackwaterdistilling.com) a privately held Maryland Corporation, is located in Stevensville, MD. For written inquiry, please address correspondence to: Blackwater Distilling, Inc., 137 Log Canoe Circle, Stevensville, MD 21666.
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University. MSU and LTU (Luleå University of Technology). have a new website- Artisan Distilling
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The first stop on the ADI Scotland whiskey tour will be Forysth (Left) The tour isMay 6-10th. 2008.
--To request a schedule e-mail Bill@distilling.com
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To print out the Beverag Alcohal Manual click (Manual)
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http://distilling.com/backissues.html
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The link to DSP permits is: http://ttb.gov/foia/fri.shtml
Over 300 DSP licenses with 127 being craft distilleries. The rest are industrial distilleries and importers. Check their websites to see if they really distill.
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--To obtain a distilled spirits permit go to:
">http://www.ttb.gov/spirits/index.shtml

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--To obtain TTB list of DSPs go to: http://www.ttb.gov/foia//err.shtml

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--To obtain TTB statistics on distilling go to: www.ttb.gov then scroll down to "spirits" and then the "year".
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--To obtain Distilled Spirits Laws and Regulations go to: http://www.ttb.gov/spirits/spirits_regs.shtml

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--To obtain label regulations go to: http://www.ttb.gov/spirits/bam.shtml distilled spirits manual circular.
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