Lemoncello – Think Outside the Box

In a recent post to the Linked In Group (Urban Distilleries Workshop Participant Discussion Group), I outlined my experiences making liquor from my crab-apple wine using my Hillbilly Still. Instead of just drinking this apple liquor, I decided to use it for something interesting. I was lucky to get my hands on an old family Lemoncello recipe from some friends who live on the Mediterranean island of Malta. What you see in this image are some of the bottles that I filled this morning ( 35% alc/vol). It tastes sooooooo good! I am sure that with a bit of dark chocolate, it will be simply divine.

I would like to hammer home the point that craft distillers need to stop behaving like lemmings falling off a cliff. Just because someone makes white, unaged spirit does not mean that everyone needs to rush out with their white dog, white bear, white “animal” version. Think outside the box…..Hit the consumer with some naturally flavored liquor/liqueur made using your white spirits as a base alcohol. Seven days of maceration was all it took to make this lemon spirit. LemoncelloIf you are worried the consumer will not know what Lemoncello is, then don’t call it Lemoncello. Call it Lemon Drop Liquor, Lemon Squeezin’s, etc… Make it interesting, wrap it in a story, engage the consumer…… dare to be different.

Feedback and Comments from the May 2015 Workshop

Following the May 2015 Workshop, I asked participants to record their thoughts. Here are some of the comments:

” I enjoyed the hands-on floor time, distilling Gin, doing the stripping run as well as starting the mash and fermentation”. Mike B. – Nisku Alberta ( Big Rig Distillery)

” Great hands on and the ability to actually do stuff. Also the group atmosphere was amazing”. Doug B. – Toronto

” Very informative and knowledgeable. Also enjoyed the diversity of the people in the class.” Andrea Z. – Vancouver

“Both Mike & Malcolm were open and forthcoming with information. I increased my overall understanding of the distillation process…” Mike G. – Vancouver

“Awesome….thanks guys !” Matt – Penticton, BC

“Floor time combined with the power point classroom presentations was perfect. Excellent job guys…” John C. – Newfoundland

“I was a complete novice, so I learned a great deal about the entire process of distilling…” Susan C. – Newfoundland

“Coming in green, I now have the ability to go home and start experimenting with my own grains and recipes…” Rhonda F. – Alberta