Whiskey is (normally) a gradual enterprise. New classes develop solely sporadically as distillers discover corners of the market whereas introducing shoppers to new taste profiles. Whereas rising classes like American Single Malts and Indiana Rye are creeping into our consuming vocabularies, one comparatively new class is getting its second within the solar with a brand new documentary in vast digital launch.
Launched for streaming on June 14th, 2023, Hearth, Water & Grain: The Story of Empire Rye examines the event and codification of its namesake spirit.
Over the previous decade, a bunch of New York State distillers has banded collectively to outline the Empire Rye class, full with requirements outlined by the Empire Rye Whiskey Affiliation. Whiskey-obsessed brothers Alec and Ryan Balas filmed and directed the documentary, with Craig Dacey performing as co-executive producer. Hearth, Water & Grain is presently streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and TUBI TV.
Drinkhacker sat down with Alec Balas to speak concerning the inspiration behind their documentary, together with classes discovered throughout filming and why manufacturing took them far past New York itself.
Observe: This interview has been flippantly edited for readability.
Drinkhacker: How did you and your brother determine to make a documentary about Empire Rye?
Alec Balas: It began as a option to join with our Dad. We created our podcast, The Bourbon Library, as a option to archive our weekly whiskey calls with him and acquired heavy into researching the whiskeys we had been consuming. Early on, we determined to do an episode about George Dickel and discovered concerning the work Nicole Austin was doing and the way she had began her profession at Kings County. She was a serious a part of getting the idea of Empire Rye off the bottom.
For us, whiskey is an exquisite storytelling medium, and we had been knocking round some concepts for a brand new movie venture to construct on what we had been studying. We knew we actually needed to do one thing associated to rye. Partially as a result of the vertical was rising and since it appeared like we may carve out a contemporary story in whiskey. We had been blown away to see that one of the vital traditionally important rye tasks within the historical past of whiskey was taking place in our yard, and it was thrilling to get actually granular about it.
We needed to be very particular about historical past’s function in the way forward for rye whiskey. We needed to guarantee that the movie reexamines the American whiskey custom and that we may assist to revive New York State’s very important contribution to that historical past, not simply with Empire Rye however bourbon as effectively. We love Kentucky whiskey, however frankly, it’s just one a part of the story.
Drinkhacker: Which distilleries did you go to in manufacturing, and which distillers did you speak to? How did you go about sourcing interview topics? How receptive had been potential topics?
Alec Balas: We began our interviews with the closest ones to our studio in Hudson, New York. That meant visiting Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery (Hudson Whiskey), then Coppersea down the highway. Frank, the farmer we featured, was additionally in that rapid space as effectively. Then we traveled all the way down to Brooklyn to go to Colin Spoelma at Kings County and Daric at Van Brunt. My brother and I made a visit as much as the Finger Lakes and Rochester to fulfill Brian McKenzie and Jason Barret.
Then we made the voyage to Kentucky, the place we interviewed Nicole Austin at Stizel Weller, which was magical. It’s humorous how the individual that began the journey for us was considered one of our final interviews. We had really had Brendan from Hudson Whiskey on the podcast earlier than so we knew we may get him to sit down down with us. Then it’s form of a domino impact of being like, hey now we have Brendan from Hudson Whiskey already interviewed, do you need to be on this movie? And folks had been actually receptive. The entire group had labored so exhausting on creating Empire Rye, they had been simply so glad that the story would get to be advised on this manner.
Chris from Coppersea was tougher to get however that’s as a result of he’s this legendary kinda old fashioned man. You might have a greater likelihood of assembly him by simply exhibiting up on the distillery than making an attempt to succeed in him by way of e-mail. Largely as a result of he’s on the market making whiskey. Everybody was actually welcoming, I believe most distillers I’ve met are. They’re passionate and hardworking individuals, so I’m positive it’s good when individuals have an curiosity in what you’re doing.
Drinkhacker: What do you would like the whiskey consuming lots knew about Empire Rye that they may not concentrate on? What makes it totally different or particular?
Alec Balas: We tasted a whole lot of Empire Rye as you’ll be able to think about, and each single one is a completely totally different expertise. That’s the thrilling a part of this story. A small group of refined craft distillers created an admittedly inflexible algorithm to even the enjoying discipline. They relied on regionality and whiskey magic to create one thing that modifications with each season, barrel, and hand that touches it.
What we expect is tremendous cool is that there isn’t this concentrated effort in reigning anybody’s artistic juices, however that they had been conscious that these boundaries may create an infinite quantity of unimaginable outcomes. In contrast to the “large guys” in whiskey, nobody, at the least in our expertise, is aiming for a consistency or full continuity in Empire Rye as a class. It’s what units this model aside and makes it a really thrilling and lasting juice to chase. Rye as a grain is a form of mystical beast and every batch of Empire Rye is actually a miracle.
Drinkhacker: What do you assume is subsequent for the Empire Rye class?
Alec Balas: Empire Rye is among the most vital kinds to return out within the final hundred years, and we imagine it can stay on the cabinets, 100 years from now. We hope that whiskey people can begin to take a look at regionality like wine connoisseurs do and begin to chase issues outdoors of their consolation zones.
I believe Empire Rye ought to encourage drinkers to look in their very own backyards for what’s being crafted. Empire Rye helps to drive that dialog and might be far more than a footnote sooner or later. Very like Tennessee Whiskey as a class, however with the voracity of the New York angle, I believe it’s going to solely get louder and prouder. Extra distilleries have joined the dialog, and it’s lining up actually superbly with very sensible farmers, universities, and science-minded whiskey lovers who need to additional discover a complete world of rye varietals. I hope it causes manufacturers and distilleries to take a look at what may very well be the work their so-called opponents are doing and ask “How can we collaborate?” and “How can we construct one thing collectively?” I believe it’s going to be an exquisite, lovely future.
Drinkhacker: What had been a few of your finest recollections from filming/manufacturing? What had been the most important challenges?
Alec Balas: One in every of my favourite recollections from the manufacturing of the movie was visiting Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery. Brendan O’Rourke was so hospitable and beneficiant together with his time. It was really at Tuthilltown the place I used to be transformed right into a rye fan. Brendan was exhibiting us among the Rickhouses and used a whiskey thief to drag some rye straight from two of the barrels. The juice from these barrels was like no rye I’ve tasted earlier than. The primary barrel was a little bit over 6 years and was completely scrumptious. It had these earthy, grassy candy notes. The second was so floral and minty. He even did a little bit mix of the 2 barrels proper there in my glass so I may see how they tasted collectively and it was so thrilling. This was actually early on within the filmmaking journey and opened my eyes to what rye may very well be and the way vital Empire Rye could be within the whiskey trade.
Drinkhacker: Are there different spirits classes you’re excited to cowl in future documentaries?
Alec Balas: We’re big whiskey followers throughout the board, a serious a part of that being bourbon, and we’re at all times in search of tales in that class. It’s an ideal excuse to drink nice whiskey and meet the craftspeople who make it and adore it. Their ardour is at all times so alluring. We at all times toy round with diving into mezcal and tequila, but it surely actually does come all the way down to discovering story to inform. One spirit that basically intrigues me is Cognac. I actually don’t know a lot about it but it surely appears so luxurious and simple to like. The age statements are ridiculous and there may be a lot story in these years, it’s exhausting to not need to discover an entry level there and see what tales blossom.
Drinkhacker: What’s your favourite option to drink Empire Rye?
Alec Balas: My favourite option to drink Empire Rye is neat! I get pleasure from it in different methods, in fact, it makes a fantastic Manhattan, however through the filming of our documentary, we acquired used to making an attempt it neat so we may pull probably the most taste and get a transparent image of the profiles of every distillery. And if it’s a very big day like some we skilled, I’d say proper out of the barrel with the farm that grew the rye, simply down the road.
