Intrepid Kathleen Purvis traveled extensively throughout the South
to create this first-ever guide to the region's burgeoning
craft-liquor movement, capturing her journey in the creation of six
original Liquor Trails. As fascinating as the craft itself are the
distillers' experiences and backstories. Purvis chronicles them
with verve and insight, bringing her knowledge of southern foodways
and traditions to bear on the flourishing of the distiller's art.
She shows how new entrepreneurs, part of the all-American food and
drink renaissance, are positioning themselves to find both the
inspiration and land ranging from West Virginia to Louisiana for
their farm- or farm-ingredients-based distilleries. They are
creating new and sought-after bourbons, whiskies, rums, gins, and
much more. Their cordials are flavored with pumpkins, raspberries,
peaches, and other local products; not long ago, a West Virginian's
black walnut liqueur won the prize for the best nut cordial at the
San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Driven by legacy and passion, today's distillers are creating a new
southern tradition--one that you can now explore with an inimitable
writer. Each Liquor Trail covers one or several states and features
particularly worthy distilleries that Purvis has personally
selected. The trails also feature maps, a complete listing of
distilleries in each territory, on-site photographs, and some
dynamite drink recipes direct from the distillers.