January 08, 2025

23: Morgan McLachlan of AMASS and De Soi Builds Thoughtful Botanical Bases for Both Gin and Nonalcoholic Spirited Beverages

48 minutes

Morgan McLachlan, the Los Angeles–based cofounder of Amass Spirits and Katy Perry’s nonalcoholic De Soi brand, has a flair for theatrics that’s only fitting for someone who started her career as a camera operator for film and TV. Every nuanced performance is built on layers, some barely noticeable—but understanding the purpose of those creative choices is essential for McLachlan, as she constructs everything from gins and nonalcoholic spirits to fragrances and other botanical-based products.

In this episode, host Molly Troupe and McLachlan discuss:

McLachlan distilling background, which began in her own bathtub

distilling clementine oranges into a citrus spirit

using strategies from the fragrance and culinary worlds to produce compelling botanical blends in spirits

the varied impacts of house-made and sourced botanical extracts as well as different extraction techniques

challenges when working in the nonalcoholic space with water as a solvent

how certain terpenes behave through the distillation process for unexpected results

managing challenging botanicals such as cardamom

creating gin that’s both classically versatile and noteworthy

regulatory challenges with specific ingredients

And more.

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