Sommeliers Choice Awards 2024 Winners
Durham Distillery
Category: Distillery
Country: United States
Date:15/02/2016
Durham Distillery is rethinking how to make great gin. Founded in 2013, the company produces premium gins leveraging a differentiated two-step manufacturing process that showcases the complexity and quality of each ingredient. This process combines time-honored gin making traditions with techniques borrowed from modern chemistry to create spirits that are both classic and contemporary. The small-batch gin distillation begins on the 230-liter custom-designed German copper pot still. As opposed to maceration techniques, which tend to result in a heavier product that is very rich in botanical oils, the vapor infusion method produces a clean, crisp-tasting gin. In the second step, the more delicate botanicals are individually vacuum distilled at room temperature on a 20-liter Rotavap. This modern distillation technique allows the botanicals to retain their integrity. As these ingredients are not heated or baked, they maintain a highly accurate flavor profile and their freshness is preserved without becoming harsh. These individual distillates are then blended into the gin base in specific proportions which translates into consistency from batch to batch. The results are world-class gins that put the New American South on the map. Durham Distillery’s Conniption brand comes in two gin styles, American Dry (44% ALC/VOL) and Navy Strength (57% ALC/VOL). Durham Distillery also produces a series of premium liqueurs that are labors of love and edible works of art. This line of Damn Fine Liqueurs come in coffee, mocha, and chocolate varieties and are made with ingredients sourced from local Triangle partners, Slingshot Coffee Company and Videri Chocolate Factory. Durham Distillery is committed to the betterment of the Durham and greater Triangle area. It ensures a living wage for employees and actively supports STEM, musical, and performing arts education.