Corsair Artisan Distillery
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. 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.
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, which led Webber to propose focusing on whiskey production instead. 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. 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 and was featured on the 393rd episode of the cooking show, Chopped.
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. The Bowling Green distillery was subsequently closed on August 31, 2018, as Corsair focused on expanding its two Nashville locations and achieving national distribution.
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.
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.
List of spirits
As of 2018, Corsair had manufactured a total of 28 distinct types of spirits. Presently, 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.
| Artisan Gin | Current |
| Red Absinthe | Current |
| Vanilla Bean Vodka | Current |
| Spiced Rum | Current |
| Triple Smoke Malt Whiskey | Current |
| Quinoa Whiskey | Discontinued |
| Ryemageddon/Dark Rye | Current |
| Oatrage Oat Whiskey | Discontinued |
| Barrel Aged Gin | Current |
| Wildfire Malt Whiskey | Current |
| Genever | Discontinued |
| Buck Yeah Buckwheat Whiskey | Discontinued |
| Citra Double IPA | Current |
| Nashville Bourbon | Discontinued |
| Pumpkin Spice Moonshine | Current |
| Grainiac Bourbon | Discontinued |
| Green Malt Whiskey | Discontinued |
| Wry Moon | Discontinued |
| 100% Rye | Discontinued |
| Steampunk | Discontinued |
| Cherrywood Smoked | Discontinued |
| Elderflower Bohemian | Discontinued |
| Hopmonster | Discontinued |
| Insane in the Grain | Discontinued |
| Oat Smoked Wheat Whiskey | Discontinued |
| Oatmeal Stout | Discontinued |
| Triticale Whiskey | Discontinued |
| Galaxy | Discontinued |
Awards
In 2018, the company reported that its spirits had received over 800 medals at national and international spirits competitions.
| 2017 Berlin International Spirits Competition | American Whiskey Distillery of the Year |
| 2017 Wizards of Whisky | World Distiller of the Year |
| U.S. Craft Distiller of the Year | |
| 2014 Wizards of Whisky | World Other Grain Whisky of the Year |
| Regional Winner: U.S. Craft Distillers | |
| American Craft Distiller of the Year | |
| 2014 Icons of Whisky: America | Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year |
| 2014 American Distilling Institute Awards | Craft Distillery of the Year (Bubble Cap Award) |
| 2013 Icons of Whisky: America | Craft Distiller of the Year |
| Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year | |
| 2012 New York International Spirits Competition | Tennessee Distillery of the Year |
| Triple Smoke | 2017 American Craft Spirits Awards | Gold Medal |
| 2017 Berlin International Spirits Competition | Bronze Medal | |
| 2017 New York International Spirits Competition | Gold Medal | |
| 2017 Whisky Advocate Awards | Artisan Whiskey of the Year | |
| 2017 American Distilling Institute Awards | Silver Medal | |
| 2016 American Craft Spirits Awards | Gold Medal | |
| 2014 American Craft Spirits Awards | Silver Medal | |
| 2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition | Double Gold | |
| 2014 International Review of Spirits Awards | Gold Medal | |
| 2014 American Distilling Institute Awards | Best of Category, Bronze | |
| 2012 American Distilling Institute Awards | Bronze Medal | |
| 2011 MicroLiquor Spirits Awards | Gold Medal | |
| 2011 American Distilling Institute Awards | Bronze Medal | |
| 2010 International Review of Spirits Awards, BTI | Gold Medal | |
| 2010 American Distilling Institute Awards | Silver Medal | |
| 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition | Gold Medal | |
| Nashville (discontinued) | 2017 American Craft Spirits Awards | Gold Medal |
| 2017 American Distilling Institute Awards | Silver Medal | |
| 2014 American Distilling Institute Awards | Silver Medal | |
| 2012 American Distilling Institute Awards | Silver Medal | |
| Gin | 2017 American Craft Spirits Awards | Bronze Medal |
| 2013 The Fifty Best | Gold Medal | |
| 2011 International Review of Spirits Awards, BTI | Gold Medal | |
| 2011 MicroLiquor Spirits Awards | Silver Medal | |
| 2009 World Beverage Competition | Gold Medal | |
| 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition | Gold Medal | |
| Barrel Aged Gin | 2018 American Distilling Institute Awards | Bronze Medal |
| 2016 American Craft Spirits Awards | Bronze Medal | |
| 2016 American Distilling Institute Awards | Silver Medal | |
| 2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition | Silver Medal | |
| 2013 The Fifty Best | Double Gold | |
| 2013 American Distilling Institute Awards | Best of Category, Gold | |
| 2012 NY International Spirits Competition | Silver Medal | |
| 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition | Gold Medal | |
| Genever (discontinued) | 2017 American Craft Spirits Awards | Bronze Medal |
| 2017 American Distilling Institute Awards | Bronze Medal | |
| 2016 American Craft Spirits Awards | Silver Medal | |
| 2015 American Distilling Institute Awards | Best of Category, Gold | |
| 2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition | Double Gold | |
| 2014 American Craft Distiller's Awards | Gold Medal | |
| 2013 American Distilling Institute Awards | Bronze Medal | |
| Green Malt (discontinued) | 2017 American Craft Spirits Awards | Bronze Medal |
| 2017 American Distilling Institute Awards | Silver Medal | |
| Buck Yeah (discontinued) | 2017 American Craft Spirits Awards | Bronze Medal |
| 2017 American Distilling Institute Awards | Best of Category, Silver | |
| 2015 American Craft Spirits Awards | Silver Medal | |
| 2015 American Distilling Institute Awards | Best of Category, Silver | |
| Ryemageddon | 2018 American Distilling Institute Awards | Silver Medal |
| 2017 American Craft Spirits Awards | Bronze Medal | |
| 2017 Berlin International Spirits Competition | Silver Medal | |
| 2017 American Distilling Institute Awards | Silver Medal | |
| 2016 American Distilling Institute Awards | Best of Category, Gold | |
| 2015 American Craft Spirits Awards | Gold Medal | |
| 2014 American Craft Spirits Awards | Silver Medal | |
| 2014 International Review of Spirits Awards | Gold Medal | |
| 2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition | Gold Medal | |
| 2013 International Review of Spirits Award | Gold Medal | |
| 2012 American Distilling Institute Awards | Silver Medal | |
| Citra Double IPA | 2017 American Craft Spirits Awards | Bronze Medal |
| 2012 American Distilling Institute Awards | Best of Category, Gold | |
| Wildfire (discontinued) | 2018 American Distilling Institute Awards | Silver Medal |
| 2017 Berlin International Spirits Competition | Gold Medal | |
| 2017 New York International Spirits Competition | Silver Medal | |
| 2017 American Distilling Institute Awards | Silver Medal | |
| 2016 American Craft Spirits Awards | Silver Medal | |
| Red Absinthe | 2017 American Craft Spirits Awards | Silver Medal |
| 2014 American Distilling Institute Awards | Bronze Medal | |
| Oatrage (discontinued) | 2017 Berlin International Spirits Competition | Gold Medal |
| 2015 American Distilling Institute Awards | Bronze Medal | |
| Quinoa Whiskey (discontinued) | 2013 International Review of Spirits Award | Gold Medal |
| 2012 American Distilling Institute Awards | Bronze Medal | |
| 2011 New York International Spirits Competition | Silver Medal | |
| Grainiac (discontinued) | 2017 American Distilling Institute Awards | Bronze Medal |
| 2012 American Distillers Institute Awards | Best of Class, Best of Category, Gold | |
| Pumpkin Spice Moonshine | 2014 American Distilling Institute Awards | Bronze Medal |
| 2011 MicroLiquor Spirits Awards | Bronze Medal | |
| 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition | Bronze Medal | |
| Wry Moon (discontinued) | 2010 American Distilling Institute Awards | Silver Medal |
| 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition | Double Gold | |
| Oatmeal Stout (discontinued) | 2011 American Distilling Institute Awards | Bronze Medal |
| 2012 American Distilling Institute Awards | Silver Medal | |
| Oak Smoked Wheat Whiskey (discontinued) | 2012 American Distilling Institute Awards | Silver Medal |
| Triticale Whiskey (discontinued) | 2012 American Distilling Institute Awards | Bronze Medal |
| Cherrywood Smoke (discontinued) | 2012 American Distilling Institute Awards | Bronze Medal |
| 100% Rye (discontinued) | 2012 American Distilling Institute Awards | Silver Medal |
| 2011 MicroLiquor Spirits Awards | Gold Medal | |
| 2011 American Distilling Institute Awards | Silver Medal | |
| 2010 American Distilling Institute Awards | Bronze Medal | |
| 2010 International Review of Spirits Awards, BTI | Silver Medal | |
| Elderflower Bohemian (discontinued) | 2012 American Distilling Institute Awards | Bronze Medal |
| Hopmonster (discontinued) | 2012 NY International Spirits Competition Awards | Silver Medal |
| Steampunk (discontinued) | 2013 American Distilling Institute Awards | Bronze Medal |
References
- ^ "Our Story". Corsair Artisan. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "Corsair Distillery puts 'Nashville in a bottle'". The Tennessean. Retrieved 2018-12-30.
- ^ "Corsair Distillery Quick Fact Sheet" (PDF). Corsair Artisan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "Whiskey Trail: From Memphis to the Smoky Mountains". The Nashville Ledger. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
- ^ List of Chopped episodes
- ^ Autry, Lisa (5 September 2018). "Bowling Green Distillery Closing After a Decade in Business". WKMS. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ^ Paul Skrbina (28 March 2021). "Distilleries trying to keep up with demand for hand sanitizer, follow federal guidelines". Nashville Tennessean.
- ^ "Corsair Spirits". Corsair Artisan. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "The Corsair Story". Corsair Artisan. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "We're Proud To Announce The Winners of the 4th Annual Berlin International Spirits Competition!". Berlin International Spirits Competition. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "Corsair Press Releases". Corsair Artisan. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "Corsair Awards". Corsair Artisan. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "Corsair Named "Distillery of the Year" at American Distilling Institute Awards". Bevnet. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "Announcing the Winners of the 3rd Annual New York International Spirits Competition!". New York International Spirits Competition. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "2017 American Craft Spirits Awards". American Craft Spirits Association. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Whisky Advocate's 19th Annual Awards". Whisky Advocate. 23 March 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "Judging of Craft Spirits - 2017 Results". American Distilling Institute. Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "2016 American Craft Spirits Awards". American Craft Spirits Association. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "2014 Judging Results". American Craft Spirits Association. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "ADI Spirit Competition - 2014 Results". American Distilling Institute. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "ADI Spirit Competition - 2012 Results". American Distilling Institute. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "The 2018 Winners Are..." American Distilling Institute. Archived from the original on 6 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "ADI Spirit Competition - 2016 Results". American Distilling Institute. Archived from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "ADI Spirit Competition - 2013 Results". American Distilling Institute. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "ADI Spirit Competition - 2015 Results". American Distilling Institute. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "2015 ACSA Spirits Judging Awards". American Craft Spirits Association. Archived from the original on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
External links
36°59′39″N 86°26′28″W / 36.9941°N 86.4410°W
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