Our Flagship Ship Whiskey January 2026 #57 – Night 2 Summary
On our second night, we took a cross‑country journey through four distinct corners of American craft whiskey — from the salt‑air aging warehouses of Atlantic City to the orchards of the Hudson Valley, from Austin’s bold blending culture to the historic plains of Dodge City.
We were joined by four remarkable makers:
Mark Ganter, Little Water Distillery — Atlantic City, NJ
Andrew Richards, Shady Knoll Orchards & Distillery — Millbrook, NY
Karthik Sudhir, Ry3 Whiskey & Phenomenal Spirits — Austin, TX
Lee Griffith, Boot Hill Distillery — Dodge City, KS
Little Water Distillery, Atlantic City, NJ
Mark Ganter, co-founder of Little Water Distillery, shared the story of how his family's entrepreneurial spirit and love for spirits led them to open the distillery in Atlantic City. He described their bourbon, 16 Knots, which is made from grains grown in New Jersey and aged in coastal barrels, emphasizing its unique characteristics and the distillery's contribution to the city's resurgence. The discussion included tasting notes and technical details about their equipment and production process, highlighting the distillery's role in revitalizing Atlantic City's economy.
Shady Knoll Orchards & Distillery, Millbrook, NY
Andrew explained that Shady Knoll Orchards and Distillery produce apple-based spirits and rye whiskey, with the latter being their main product and source of income. He described their 5-year-old rye whiskey, which is made from a 70% rye, 15% corn, 15% malted barley mash bill, aged in new charred oak American barrels and finished in port wine barrels. Andrew emphasized the importance of their terroir, including the use of their own water from a 780-foot deep well and the growth of rye on the farm. He also discussed their fermentation and distillation process, using a small 225-gallon batch size and an old alembic still, with plans to upgrade to a larger pot still in the future.
Ry3 Whiskey, Austin, TX
Karthik, the founder and CEO of Phenomenal Spirits, discussed their company's journey from starting in rum to focusing on rye whiskey, particularly highlighting their Tokaji cask-finished rye whiskey. He explained their blending process, which includes a proprietary mix of 5-year, 7.5-year, and 14-year whiskies, along with light whiskey, to create a Maryland-style rye. Karthik emphasized their focus on cask finishing and their strategy to balance innovation with tradition by releasing both traditional ryes and innovative cask finishes. Karthik announced that this year, they will be releasing more small-batch whiskies on a quarterly basis, moving away from their previous single-barrel releases.
Boot Hill Distillery, Dodge City, KS
Lee explained Boot Hill Distillery's history, location, and commitment to using locally grown grains, highlighting their wheat whiskey made from Kansas-grown hard red winter wheat. The conversation also touched on the distillery's farming practices and the influence of the surrounding landscape on their spirits. Lee explained the whiskey production process, highlighting the switch to 100% corn whiskey and its distinct characteristics compared to wheat whiskey. He described the partnership with the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, which includes a unique bottling of corn whiskey at 108 proof, with proceeds going to scholarship programs. Lee also detailed his fermentation and distillation methods, emphasizing the challenges of operating in a dry, low-altitude region and the impact of temperature swings on barrel aging.
As we wrap up this four‑distillery journey and our 2026 January Flagship Event, one thing becomes clear: a single region or style does not describe American Craft Whiskey — it’s created by the people who pour their passion into every batch.
Mark Ganter, Andrew Richards, Karthik Sudhir, and Lee Griffith have stories to tell through their products, craft, and vision.
May your next pour carry a little more meaning, a little more curiosity, and a deeper appreciation for the hands that make it.
You can view these interviews on the Our Flagship Whiskey YouTube Channel.
