Photo by Joe Olivieri
Photo by Joe Olivieri
Photo by Joe Olivieri
Photo by Joe OlivieriStartup begins distilling gin in February
On a chilly Thursday in January, the distillers of Revolution Spirits had to decide what their first product would taste like.
Months of effort had produced two different recipes for their first release, a contemporary-style American gin.
They had wanted to enter their gin in two competitions, one of which had a deadline that day for submissions. They also hoped to have bottles on store shelves soon.
Distiller Brian Meola poured clear liquids into two tumblers and labeled them 1 and 4. One by one, the distillers conducted a final taste test.
Their first gin would be a smooth one. They chose Recipe No. 4's even flavor over Recipe No. 1's stronger kick. They sent their Austin Reserve Gin off to the competitions on time, and will learn the results in March and April.
In February, Revolution Spirits began distilling its 100-proof liquor at its Pauls Valley Road facility.
It began selling 750-milliliter bottles on-site Feb. 22 and hopes to secure agreements with distributors soon, Distiller Mark Shilling said.
"We're looking at doing 200 to 400 cases a month once we get going," he explained.
Their second release will be mixers so consumers can drink gin cocktails as the distillers intended, Shilling added.
If the products are successful, the distillers say they hope to branch out to offer aged whiskeys, brandies, liquors and bitters.
Revolution Spirits' six-person team wears many hats. Each distiller's background, from beer and wine knowledge to bartending, has contributed to the final product.
The whole process, from steeping to distilling, takes seven to 10 days.
"Some distillers guard their recipes as though it's a big secret," he said. "We're not that way. There are so many factors that go into making gin that you could have our recipe and still come up with a different gin than ours."
Revolution Spirits uses all-natural ingredients for its drinks, he added.
Austin Reserve Gin is made from juniper, lavender, grapefruit, pink peppercorn, lemongrass and rosemary.
Shilling said the distillery plans to sell the gin for $32 a bottle. The distillery does not keep set hours but is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
"People ask me what I think of the product. I tell them I am so excited about this gin. I would put it against any gin any day," Meola said.
Revolution Spirits, 12345 Pauls Valley Road, Bldg. G, www.revolutionspirits.com
