In terms of longevity, the Door County Distillery is in its infancy, having been operational since September of 2011. However, the distillery located in Carlsville has already been recognized as one of the best of the best in competition featuring distillers from around the world. The local firm’s “Lighthouse Gin” finished as the only finalist from the United States at the 2013 Ultimate Spirits Challenge in New York. It received an “extraordinary-ultimate recommendation” & a score of 95. At just under $20 per bottle, the “Lighthouse Gin” was also recognized as a great value. Master Distiller Kyle Thomas says, creating an award-winning product doesn’t just happen. Thomas says in order to properly distill the alcohol from the beginning, a copper still was imported from Germany, a pricy contraption, but a perfect example of the old adage, “you get what you pay for”…
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The distillery’s “Luminous Vodka” received a “very good-strong recommendation” & a score of 88 at the New York competition. The Door County Distillery’s gin & vodka products also received awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the Finger Lakes International & the Riverside International.
