Corsair Artisan Distillery

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Corsair Artisan Distillery is a small-batch distilling company that operates in Nashville, Tennessee, US. It was originally founded in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in January 2008. The distillery is owned and operated by Derek Bell and Andrew Webber, who are both distillers and natives of Nashville. [1] [2] [3] Corsair Artisan Distillery is known for its production of innovative spirits, which include buckwheat whiskey, quinoa whiskey, malted and smoked whiskies, multi-grain bourbons, barrel-aged gin, red absinthe, naturally flavored vodka, and spiced rum. [4]

Contents

History

Childhood friends Webber and Bell began their journey into homebrewing beer and wine in Bell's garage. They initially encountered challenges while working on a biodiesel plant prototype, [2] which led Webber to propose focusing on whiskey production instead.[ citation needed ] The distillery officially commenced operations in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 2008. Due to their strong connection to Tennessee, the owners established a second location in Nashville in 2010, making Corsair the first legal craft distillery in Nashville since Prohibition. [2] Embracing the ethos of "Innovate or Die," Corsair has ventured into creating numerous experimental products, incorporating unconventional grains such as quinoa, spelt, triticale, and buckwheat, along with various hop variations. Notably, their quinoa whiskey gained recognition[ by whom? ] and was featured on the 393rd episode of the cooking show, Chopped . [5] [ circular reference ]

Corsair expanded further by opening a third location in the Wedgewood/Houston neighborhood of Nashville in 2016. This move allowed them to increase production capacity and utilize the WeHo site for additional office space and barrel storage, effectively designating it as their headquarters. [2] The Bowling Green distillery was subsequently closed on August 31, 2018, as Corsair focused on expanding its two Nashville locations and achieving national distribution. [6]

In March 2020, Corsair undertook a rebranding initiative to facilitate wider distribution and streamline its product line, resulting in changes to spirit names and proofs. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the distillery garnered attention for producing hand sanitizer, which was donated to healthcare facilities in substantial quantities. [7]

Corsair is committed to encapsulating the essence of Nashville by utilizing resources from Bell's local farm, including their own malthouse and smokehouse. They offer tours at their Nashville locations to showcase their craft spirits and local craft beers. [2]

List of spirits

As of 2018, Corsair had manufactured a total of 28 distinct types of spirits. Presently,[ when? ] the availability of these spirits may vary, with 11 typically offered for sale. Additionally, there are six varieties classified as seasonal or experimental, while 11 have been discontinued. [8]

Corsair Spirit Lineup [8]
Artisan GinCurrent[ when? ]
Red AbsintheCurrent[ when? ]
Vanilla Bean VodkaCurrent[ when? ]
Spiced RumCurrent[ when? ]
Triple Smoke Malt WhiskeyCurrent[ when? ]
Quinoa WhiskeyDiscontinued
Ryemageddon/Dark RyeCurrent[ when? ]
Oatrage Oat WhiskeyDiscontinued
Barrel Aged GinCurrent[ when? ]
Wildfire Malt WhiskeyCurrent[ when? ]
GeneverDiscontinued
Buck Yeah Buckwheat WhiskeyDiscontinued
Citra Double IPACurrent[ when? ]
Nashville BourbonDiscontinued
Pumpkin Spice MoonshineCurrent[ when? ]
Grainiac BourbonDiscontinued
Green Malt WhiskeyDiscontinued
Wry MoonDiscontinued
100% RyeDiscontinued
SteampunkDiscontinued
Cherrywood SmokedDiscontinued
Elderflower BohemianDiscontinued
HopmonsterDiscontinued
Insane in the GrainDiscontinued
Oat Smoked Wheat WhiskeyDiscontinued
Oatmeal StoutDiscontinued
Triticale WhiskeyDiscontinued
GalaxyDiscontinued

Awards

In 2018, the company reported that its spirits had received over 800 medals at national and international spirits competitions. [9]

All-Around Awards
2017 Berlin International Spirits Competition [10] American Whiskey Distillery of the Year
2017 Wizards of Whisky [11] World Distiller of the Year
U.S. Craft Distiller of the Year
2014 Wizards of Whisky [12] World Other Grain Whisky of the Year
Regional Winner: U.S. Craft Distillers
American Craft Distiller of the Year
2014 Icons of Whisky: America [12] Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year
2014 American Distilling Institute Awards [13] Craft Distillery of the Year (Bubble Cap Award)
2013 Icons of Whisky: America [12] Craft Distiller of the Year
Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year
2012 New York International Spirits Competition [14] Tennessee Distillery of the Year
Individual Awards
Triple Smoke2017 American Craft Spirits Awards [15] Gold Medal
2017 Berlin International Spirits Competition [10] Bronze Medal
2017 New York International Spirits Competition [16] Gold Medal
2017 Whisky Advocate Awards [17] Artisan Whiskey of the Year
2017 American Distilling Institute Awards [18] Silver Medal
2016 American Craft Spirits Awards [19] Gold Medal
2014 American Craft Spirits Awards [20] Silver Medal
2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition [12] Double Gold
2014 International Review of Spirits Awards [12] Gold Medal
2014 American Distilling Institute Awards [21] Best of Category, Bronze
2012 American Distilling Institute Awards [22] Bronze Medal
2011 MicroLiquor Spirits Awards [12] Gold Medal
2011 American Distilling Institute Awards [12] Bronze Medal
2010 International Review of Spirits Awards, BTI [12] Gold Medal
2010 American Distilling Institute Awards [12] Silver Medal
2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition [12] Gold Medal
Nashville (discontinued)2017 American Craft Spirits AwardsGold Medal
2017 American Distilling Institute AwardsSilver Medal
2014 American Distilling Institute AwardsSilver Medal
2012 American Distilling Institute Awards [12] Silver Medal
Gin2017 American Craft Spirits AwardsBronze Medal
2013 The Fifty Best [12] Gold Medal
2011 International Review of Spirits Awards, BTI [12] Gold Medal
2011 MicroLiquor Spirits AwardsSilver Medal
2009 World Beverage Competition [12] Gold Medal
2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition [12] Gold Medal
Barrel Aged Gin2018 American Distilling Institute Awards [23] Bronze Medal
2016 American Craft Spirits AwardsBronze Medal
2016 American Distilling Institute Awards [24] Silver Medal
2014 San Francisco World Spirits CompetitionSilver Medal
2013 The Fifty BestDouble Gold
2013 American Distilling Institute Awards [25] Best of Category, Gold
2012 NY International Spirits Competition [12] Silver Medal
2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition [12] Gold Medal
Genever (discontinued)2017 American Craft Spirits AwardsBronze Medal
2017 American Distilling Institute AwardsBronze Medal
2016 American Craft Spirits AwardsSilver Medal
2015 American Distilling Institute Awards [26] Best of Category, Gold
2014 San Francisco World Spirits CompetitionDouble Gold
2014 American Craft Distiller's Awards [12] Gold Medal
2013 American Distilling Institute AwardsBronze Medal
Green Malt (discontinued)2017 American Craft Spirits AwardsBronze Medal
2017 American Distilling Institute AwardsSilver Medal
Buck Yeah (discontinued)2017 American Craft Spirits AwardsBronze Medal
2017 American Distilling Institute AwardsBest of Category, Silver
2015 American Craft Spirits Awards [27] Silver Medal
2015 American Distilling Institute AwardsBest of Category, Silver
Ryemageddon2018 American Distilling Institute AwardsSilver Medal
2017 American Craft Spirits AwardsBronze Medal
2017 Berlin International Spirits CompetitionSilver Medal
2017 American Distilling Institute AwardsSilver Medal
2016 American Distilling Institute AwardsBest of Category, Gold
2015 American Craft Spirits AwardsGold Medal
2014 American Craft Spirits AwardsSilver Medal
2014 International Review of Spirits AwardsGold Medal
2014 San Francisco World Spirits CompetitionGold Medal
2013 International Review of Spirits Award [12] Gold Medal
2012 American Distilling Institute Awards [12] Silver Medal
Citra Double IPA2017 American Craft Spirits AwardsBronze Medal
2012 American Distilling Institute AwardsBest of Category, Gold
Wildfire (discontinued)2018 American Distilling Institute AwardsSilver Medal
2017 Berlin International Spirits CompetitionGold Medal
2017 New York International Spirits CompetitionSilver Medal
2017 American Distilling Institute AwardsSilver Medal
2016 American Craft Spirits AwardsSilver Medal
Red Absinthe2017 American Craft Spirits AwardsSilver Medal
2014 American Distilling Institute AwardsBronze Medal
Oatrage (discontinued)2017 Berlin International Spirits CompetitionGold Medal
2015 American Distilling Institute AwardsBronze Medal
Quinoa Whiskey (discontinued)2013 International Review of Spirits AwardGold Medal
2012 American Distilling Institute AwardsBronze Medal
2011 New York International Spirits Competition [12] Silver Medal
Grainiac (discontinued)2017 American Distilling Institute AwardsBronze Medal
2012 American Distillers Institute AwardsBest of Class, Best of Category, Gold
Pumpkin Spice Moonshine2014 American Distilling Institute AwardsBronze Medal
2011 MicroLiquor Spirits AwardsBronze Medal
2011 San Francisco World Spirits CompetitionBronze Medal
Wry Moon (discontinued)2010 American Distilling Institute AwardsSilver Medal
2010 San Francisco World Spirits CompetitionDouble Gold
Oatmeal Stout (discontinued)2011 American Distilling Institute AwardsBronze Medal
2012 American Distilling Institute AwardsSilver Medal
Oak Smoked Wheat Whiskey (discontinued)2012 American Distilling Institute AwardsSilver Medal
Triticale Whiskey (discontinued)2012 American Distilling Institute AwardsBronze Medal
Cherrywood Smoke (discontinued)2012 American Distilling Institute AwardsBronze Medal
100% Rye (discontinued)2012 American Distilling Institute AwardsSilver Medal
2011 MicroLiquor Spirits AwardsGold Medal
2011 American Distilling Institute AwardsSilver Medal
2010 American Distilling Institute AwardsBronze Medal
2010 International Review of Spirits Awards, BTISilver Medal
Elderflower Bohemian (discontinued)2012 American Distilling Institute AwardsBronze Medal
Hopmonster (discontinued)2012 NY International Spirits Competition Awards [14] Silver Medal
Steampunk (discontinued)2013 American Distilling Institute AwardsBronze Medal

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References

  1. ↑ "Our Story". Corsair Artisan. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Corsair Distillery puts 'Nashville in a bottle'". The Tennessean. Retrieved 2018-12-30.
  3. ↑ "Corsair Distillery Quick Fact Sheet" (PDF). Corsair Artisan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  4. ↑ "Whiskey Trail: From Memphis to the Smoky Mountains". The Nashville Ledger. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  5. ↑ List of Chopped episodes
  6. ↑ Autry, Lisa (5 September 2018). "Bowling Green Distillery Closing After a Decade in Business". WKMS. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  7. ↑ Paul Skrbina (28 March 2021). "Distilleries trying to keep up with demand for hand sanitizer, follow federal guidelines". Nashville Tennessean.
  8. 1 2 "Corsair Spirits". Corsair Artisan. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  9. ↑ "The Corsair Story". Corsair Artisan. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  10. 1 2 "We're Proud To Announce The Winners of the 4th Annual Berlin International Spirits Competition!". Berlin International Spirits Competition. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  11. ↑ "Corsair Press Releases". Corsair Artisan. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 "Corsair Awards". Corsair Artisan. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  13. ↑ "Corsair Named "Distillery of the Year" at American Distilling Institute Awards". Bevnet. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  14. 1 2 "Announcing the Winners of the 3rd Annual New York International Spirits Competition!". New York International Spirits Competition. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  15. ↑ "2017 American Craft Spirits Awards". American Craft Spirits Association. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  16. ↑ "We're Proud To Announce The Winners of the 8th Annual New York International Spirits Competition!". New York International Spirits Competition. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  17. ↑ "Whisky Advocate's 19th Annual Awards". Whisky Advocate. 23 March 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  18. ↑ "Judging of Craft Spirits - 2017 Results". American Distilling Institute. Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  19. ↑ "2016 American Craft Spirits Awards". American Craft Spirits Association. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  20. ↑ "2014 Judging Results". American Craft Spirits Association. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  21. ↑ "ADI Spirit Competition - 2014 Results". American Distilling Institute. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  22. ↑ "ADI Spirit Competition - 2012 Results". American Distilling Institute. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  23. ↑ "The 2018 Winners Are..." American Distilling Institute. Archived from the original on 6 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  24. ↑ "ADI Spirit Competition - 2016 Results". American Distilling Institute. Archived from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  25. ↑ "ADI Spirit Competition - 2013 Results". American Distilling Institute. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  26. ↑ "ADI Spirit Competition - 2015 Results". American Distilling Institute. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  27. ↑ "2015 ACSA Spirits Judging Awards". American Craft Spirits Association. Archived from the original on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2018.

36°59′39″N86°26′28″W / 36.9941°N 86.4410°W / 36.9941; -86.4410



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