Fermented Adventure The Podcast

This episode features John Sepcoski and Janice Sepcoski of Holy Ghost Distillery.

Janice and John enjoyed visiting distilleries, breweries and wineries.  After visiting a distillery 7 years ago John said, "I can do better then this".  This led them to looking for land and a building to host their vision.  What they've set out to create is a total experience.  Not just buy a bottle or purchase a cocktail, but the experience to make new friends over a cocktail.   They have left their full time careers to live out a dream.  As Janice puts it, "Now I do Bourbon".  We had a wonderful time experiencing their chocolate and bourbon pairing.  The final part of our podcast journey was the absinthe extravaganza.  It was all a fitting tribute to celebrate our 100th episode.

990 State Route 940, White Haven, PA 18661 - (570) 990-2673 - www.holyghostdistillery.com - Facebook

Highlights from our discussion:

Stave and Thief Society

The Bard Distillery

Harvest Hosts

Mitch Abate

The Absinthe Murders

Moonshine University

Old Forester

East Coast Barrels

This episode features Micah McFarlane and Juan Carlos Gordillo of the Revel Spirits.

Ten years ago, Micah was helping out Matt Hector Ruiz, who was starting a tequila company.  The went to Morelos, Mexico where Micah began bringing back the juice and sharing it.  His role became helping to bring the agave spirits to the United States.  The next step was to create a business plan and raise funds. There is so much to the rich history of distilling in Morelos.  The connection to the technology goes back generations.  It's a family product.  What they produce is not tequila and it's not mezcal.  They create Avila.  This episode is an amazing education and discovery of agave spirits and what makes Revel special.  

www.revelspirits.com - Facebook

Highlights From our Discussion:

Justin Hartley

Bar Convent Brooklyn

We haven't done a date night Chronicles in a while.  This provided a little bit of a break to catch up and update you on where we have been an what we are going to be up to.  This provided the perfect opportunity to try and share a ready to drink cocktail. Tommy Bahama Mango Citrus Sparkling Vodka Traveler was delicious.  Crisp, refreshing and thirst quenching.  Hints of mango sweetness, coconut and citrus goodness.

Highlights From our Discussion:

Revel Spirits

Laws Whiskey House

Absinthia

Holy Ghost Distillery

Whiskey Rebellion Festival

Stagg Party At Roger Wilco

Meadcon 2022

Ciderfest PA

Bar Convent Brooklyn

Kane Brewing Company

Dragons Head Cidery

This episode features Jacob Manning and Abbe Hyde of the Winely.

Winely was created from biotechnology research by Jacob.  He has always been passionate about fermenting and the fermentation industry.  Winely is a technology solution that monitors fermentation in real time.  Jacob believes that fermentation will change the world.  Abbe works to bring the technology to the forefront of the wine producers.  Winely is the worlds leader in fermentation analysis.  This interview is extremely fascinating and insightful into the complex world of fermentation.  Abbe and Jacob helped to change our view of fermentation and what is possible.  

www.winely.ai - Facebook

Highlights From our Discussion:

Neeley Family Distillery

University of the Sciences

This episode features Brian Woerner of the World Honey Exchange.  

Brian is a huge honey fanatic.  Brian travels the world meeting with bee keepers.  He facilitates getting their products into new markets.  His company sells wholesale to breweries, meaderies, ice cream and chocolate companies.  Just about anyone that will include honey in their product.  Honey is a food that never goes bad.  Join us on this fascinating journey as we learn about bees, bee keeping, pollination and taste some amazing honeys.

www.worldhoneyexchange.com

Highlights From our Discussion:

Triple Bottom Brewing

Caledonia Spirits

Barr Hill Gin

Follow The Honey

Peace Corps

Meade Drinkr Tysen

Deschutes Brewery

Lamplighter Brewing Company

Forested Foods

We had the pleasure to attend the Dalmore Whisky tasting at Roger Wilco.  This was an event that was held for the Wilco Whiskey Club.  Dan Loeser led a spirited discussion and education of 5 expressions in the Dalmore line.  We also got to sample some feedback from the attendees.  We found out what they like best and what it is about whiskey and the club that they appreciate.  

Highlights From Our Discussion:

NJ Bourbon Barrel Club

Wilco Whiskey Club

Philadelphia Whiskey Society

American Whiskey Convention

Moonshine University

Executive Bourbon Steward

Pappy Van Winkle

This episode features Owen King of Iron Clad Distillery.

Stephen King purchased the building, a dry goods warehouse built in 1913, approximately 15 years ago.  To best utilize the space, the decision was made to try to store bourbon barrels.  This led to acquiring a 26 gallon still.  From there, they began to get more serious and bought 5 more 26 gallon stills.  This expansion gave them the opportunity to fill one 53 gallon barrel a week.  This slow process encouraged Stephen and Owen to seek advice from other distillers in the industry.  Conversations and experiences brought them to their next step which was to upgrade the entire operation to a 500 gallon still.  Now they had the keys to their own system of producing high quality bourbon in larger batches.  Owen shares that the vision has been to use Virginia based grains.  Their base is a 4 grain mash bill.  The King's have always been big fans and lovers of bourbon.  So, opening a distillery made sense that this was the direction that the family was headed.  You will hear and understand how the bourbon gene is a part of the families history.  Acknowledging history is in the forefront of how they communicate the Iron Clad story.  Today they make history with their many expressions.  They plant their own flag by creating unique and one of a kind bourbons.  Also, paying homage to the well established distilleries out there too.        

124 23rd St, Newport News, VA 23607 - (757) 245-1996 - www.ironcladdistillery.com - Facebook

Highlights from our discussion:

Affordable Distilling Equipment

Kings County Distillery

Delilah's

Bardstown Bourbon Company

Evan Williams Bourbon

Wild Turkey

Ferm Solutions

Four Roses Bourbon

Neeley Family Distillery

Stoll and Wolfe Distillery

Silver Hand Meadery

Redwood Smoke Shack

Bill Savage

Big Thirst Marketing

This episode features Royall Ferguson and Dave Emmons of Deep Creek Distilling.

Dave and Royall have known each other for 20 plus years.  The discussion of distilling came up at a Greek festival in Norfolk.  They began step by step to understand the whole process.  "Doing it the old fashioned way", as Royall puts it.  Grind the local grain, make the mash and then ferment it.  A lot of their early experience came from trial and error.  They refined and honed their spirits to what have become the amazing products that they offer today.  They are the first licensed legal distillery in the Chesapeake since prohibition. 

801 Butler St Unit 12, Chesapeake, VA 23323 - (757)675-3250 - www.deepcreekdistilling.com - Facebook

Highlights from our discussion:

Deep Creek of the Chesapeake

Ketel One Vodka

Tito's Vodka

In this episode we sit down with Ben Wenk and discuss the upcoming PA Ciderfest and catch up with all that has been happening with Ploughman Cider.  Ben was our guest for episode 39.  So much has been happening with the growing orchard and farm.  The taproom in Gettysburg is fully set up and open.  We can't wait to see everyone at Ciderfest PA.  

Highlights From our Discussion:

Ciderfest of PA

Headhouse Farmers Market

Project Gettysburg Leon

Cidercon 2022

Manoff Market

Gettysburg

Adams County

The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg

National Apple Museum

Napa Valley

Mason Dixon Distillery