This Entrepreneur article featuring Leopold Bros., talks about their road to profitability, fellow Denver distiller Stranahan's and the rise of small batch distilling in the U.S.

Diageo, the world's largest distilled spirits company, has announce a partnership with Shui Jing Fang to produce Shanghai White Vodka. When product will hit store shelves is not know at this time. At this time Shanghai White does not appear in the Diageo Vodka product showcase. The Wall Street Journal blog also had coverage of the launch. Here's a look at the Shanghai White Vodka packaging in case you need to go pick some up.

Craft Distiller’s have high spirits for Nashville

Nashville, TN. – June 18, 2009 –

Nashville natives Darek Bell and Andrew Webber couldn’t be in better spirits. They’re opening a second distillery in their home town of Nashville.

When Bell and Webber began planning their recently launched micro-distillery, Corsair Artisan, they discovered that distilling was not permitted in Davidson County nor in most of Tennessee. Their dream was to open the first micro distillery in Nashville. Instead the two became business expats, opening Corsair’s distillery in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Recent Tennessee legislative action may allow Corsair to return home. A bill allowing distilling in Davidson passed the legislature June 18 and awaits the governor’s signature. “We started two years ago with the intention of being a Nashville venture,” says Bell, “This is our hometown. We want to let the community visit and see what we’re doing as craft distillers.”

The Denver Daily News is reporting Stranahan's is moving to a larger facility. This Colorado whisky is an award winning product. It's impressive to see a distillery grow through demand for a single high quality product.

Organic Rye Vodka, Ginger Liqueur, Rose Hips Liqueur, Pear Brandy, all certified Kosher. Koval Distillery has a line up of interesting products. Gapers Block has a story about Koval and the people behind it. Here's another story from the Chicago Reader.

McMenamins Edgefield Distillery has released Penny's Gin, a 90 proof gin, the distillery's first new distilled product in four years. The back story behind the name can be found over at the Portland Business Journal.

SPIRITS MAKERS FORM NEW YORK CRAFT DISTILLERS GUILD

New York craft distillers met at the offices of the NEW YORK FARM BUREAU on April 21st to organize and launch the NEW YORK CRAFT DISTILLERS GUILD. The first Guild meeting was organized by the Hudson Valley Agri-Business Development Corporation. The location of the meeting at the offices of the NY FARM BUREAU is no accident. “We want to make the firm statement that spirits production in New York is an agricultural undertaking,” says Todd Erling, Executive Director of HVADC, “distillers use agricultural products, and craft distilleries have the potential to create new markets for New York grown fruits and grain while also creating a new tax source for the State.”

The Minnesota Senate Commerce Committee will hold a formal hearing on March 19, 2009, regarding SF 390, which would allow the issuance of "artisan distillery" licenses to distillers who produce less than 25,000 gallons per year. The bill would also allow on-site sampling and sales. The link may be found below.

I plan to testify in favor of this bill. If there are any other Minnesotans that would like to lend their support, Please contact me or Senator Amy Koch at:

sen.amy.koch@senate.mn

The link for the bill is here:

https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=S0390.0.html&se...

This article discusses Philadelphia Distilling’s Vieuxx Carre absinthe.

I have to say the bottling is downright chic.

Mark your calendars. Whiskies of the World Expo 2009, to be held in in San Francisco. This is the 10th annual event.

Read Burning Still coverage of Whiskies of the World Expo 2008. We had another site member attend WOW 2008 event as well.

Interested in more events? Check out our organizations, events and links page.

If you plan on going, post a comment to this thread and let other Burning Still members know.

This was sent in by the organizers of the event:

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Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton was sentenced to 18 months by U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer (Eastern District of Tennessee).

This San Francisco Chronicle article focuses on novel mashbills used by distilleries Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Anchor Distilling, Clear Creek Distillery and St. George Spirits.

Free Marvin? Probably not likely. Burning Still published a story back in April about the reality for moonshiners in the U.S. which mentioned the case of Mr. Sutton. This Citizen Times story talks about the case and sentencing being delayed for a 4th time.

This Hemispheres Magazine article by Bill Marsano gets into small scale distilling, state laws, moonshiners and a few cocktail recipes. What more could you ask for?

Finger Lakes Distilling is preparing to begin distilling operations this fall. This Ithaca Journal article has the details.