Because there was so much agricultural heritage in Florida, Philip McDaniel and Mike Diaz wanted to make their bourbon there. Not only did they want to make their bourbon in Florida, they wanted to make it in St Augustine, The Nation’s Oldest City. They discovered an abandoned ice plant (the oldest in Florida) and commenced to restore that building to its historic splendor. While Phil and Mike were convinced that Florida’s heat and humidity and St Augustine’s maritime climate would make spectacular bourbon, they were businessmen, not distillers. Never satisfied with “good enough,” they set out to hire the best experts they could to assist in their dream. The team hired Dave Pickerell, former Master Distiller at Maker’s Mark, to consult on the distillery design and processes. Jake Norris, former Founding Distiller for Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, developed the mash bill for the bourbon. Brendan Wheatley distilled the spirit and developed our barrel program. Dave Pickerell returned to lead the team’s final blending of this first bourbon release.

-From the Distillers