The new year is barely underway and already there’s been a flurry of news from Arizona Distilling Company, the fledgling micro-distillery in Tempe. The company has introduced a new spirit – Desert Dry Gin – and begun tours of its facility, where visitors now can purchase liquor.
Yucca Tap Room owner Rodney Hu is the frontman for Arizona Distilling, but the venture is a team effort. Hu launched it with high school friends Jason Grossmiller and Jon Eagan. Grossmiller serves as master distiller, assisted by Matt Cummins. Hu’s cousin, George Yu, is an investor.
The micro-distillery, housed in a 60-foot-by-50-foot block warehouse just off Rio Salado Parkway (see map), debuted its first spirit – the well-received Copper City Bourbon – last June.
Desert Dry Gin features what the company is calling another “five C’s” – coriander, cardamom, cumin, cinnamon and citrus (lime zest) – in a nod to the historic drivers of Arizona’s economy (copper, cattle, cotton, citrus, and climate).
You can find the gin being served in the East Valley at places like Barrelhouse, Casey Moore’s and the Tempe Mission Palms. You also can purchase it at retail outlets like Tops Liquor or directly from the micro-distillery.
Starting today, you can tour Arizona Distilling from 1-7 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. To set up a tour, send them a message on Facebook or call 480-233-9439.
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