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NOT YOUR AVERAGE COLLEGE EXPERIMENTATION
By Colin Joliat
Craft distilling is at its best when it ’ s in the hands of adventurous distillers . While some produce basic spirits with the simple goal of expanding the distillery ’ s footprint , others push their limits as alcohol artists . That essential creativity has never been more apparent or bold than in the case of Dave Weglarz of StilL 630 .
Weglarz has laurels in the form of medals from nearly every spirits competition in the country , but the concept of rest still eludes him . He has now embarked upon what might be the most ambitious project in the spirits business - releasing 60 unique spirits over 60 months .
StilL 630 is best known for Rally Point Rye and derivations thereof , but the new Experimental Spirits Program will cross all spirits categories from aquavit to whiskey . It ’ s meant to test Weglarz mettle as a distiller , provide customers with interesting products , and give supporters a say in what might be the next full release from the distillery . And if Weglarz happens upon the next great American spirit in the process , I ’ m sure he ’ ll take that too .
Each new spirit is bottled at 100-proof in 200ml bottles and released at the distillery on the first Friday every month . That ’ s where the consistency stops and the art begins . Thus far Weglarz has distilled single malts then double-barreled , rum finished , and smoked them with apple wood , mesquite , and cherry wood . In backto-back months he released a 100 percent corn bourbon and an apple brandy . He ’ s even enhanced his famed Rally Point Rye with chocolate malt . For many that would be enough new spirits for a decade . For Weglarz , it ’ s been nine months .
The next 51 months will be an adventure the likes of which the craft distilling world has never seen . New spirits will continue to be created . Old spirits will make triumphant returns in unique blends . Boundaries will be broken , and our appetite for creative drinking will be whetted , satiated , and whet again until picking a favorite dram will be more difficult than announcing your favorite child . StilL 630 ’ s Experimental Spirits Program is an amazing example of the spirit of craft distilling .