GoodSpirits2018Vol1 - 10

Production at 8 Feathers
has increased from 450
bottles a month to 1,800 a
month-an almost 400
percent increase.

leaders, reported that the craft distilling industry
sold nearly 6 million cases in 2016, up 18.5 percent
in volume over 2015, with $3 billion in sales and
25 percent growth by value. In addition, the number
of active craft distilleries in the U.S. grew by nearly
21 percent, with 1,589 distilleries as of August
2017, creating nearly 6,000 full-time jobs.
Nationally, direct sales at a distillery are important for craft distillers, especially small craft producers. When 8 Feathers was but a twinkle in the
founders' eyes, the state of Idaho didn't allow tastings at distilleries, only at wineries and breweries.
Marjie Lowe and Sandee Price were instrumental
in getting a new law passed, allowing consumers to
taste a distillery's product. The law went into effect
on July 1, 2014, allowing a maximum of three
¼-ounce samples per person. Such samples are

10 MIX, BLEND, ENJOY RESPONSIBLY

important to consumers who might otherwise hesitate to purchase a craft distillery's products
sight-unseen-or, taste-untasted-and now visitors
can sample 8 Feathers whiskies in the comfortable
tasting room, including four distillery exclusives.
Of course, distribution is essential, to get the
product out to the market. "Our main priority is
Idaho," says Larry Price, "but we're also in Colorado
and Washington," with a smaller presence in Texas
and South Carolina.
Clearly, the 8 Feathers co-founders have
unlocked their skates.
Look for 8 Feathers products in restaurants, on
liquor store shelves and at the tasting room (open on
Saturdays from noon to 5, by appointment, or for special
events). Explore 8feathersdistillery.com for more information and cocktail recipes.

http://www.8feathersdistillery.com

GoodSpirits2018Vol1

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GoodSpirits2018Vol1