LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky Distillers Association is welcoming its newest member to the Bourbon Trail. Bespoken Spirits in Lexington announced last fall its move to Kentucky from California.
Founded in Silicon Valley, Bespoken Spirits fuses traditional distilling with technology. Jordan Spitzer, head of flavor, does most of his work in the laboratory. It’s where he analyzes molecules in grains and oak staves to craft a consistent flavored whiskey.
“We’re hoping to break open the whiskey DaVinci Code, so to speak, a little bit further so we can really dial in on exactly what’s in there,” Spitzer said.
The five-year-old company was founded on sustainability. Instead of getting its flavor from full barrels, the products are aged in a metal keg and are flavored from wood micro-staves which rest in the keg with the spirit.
“Through the use of our micro-staves, compared to a barrel, we’re using about 30 times less wood than if you were to throw this in the barrel,” Spitzer said.
Jared Bickel, director of customer relations at Bespoken Spirits, said through their aging process they yield about 99% of product. Traditional distilling yields only around 60-70% of product due to ‘angel’s share’ or evaporation of whiskey.
“That’s profit to us because that makes our bottle price and our cogs a lot lower, so when it goes on the shelf we can compete with some of these bigger people that have huge fermentation tanks and huge yields,” Bickel said.
Through their process, spirits can be made in four to five days and be tailored to a person’s specific palate. Bespoken Spirts has partnered with Lynard Skynard for their brand, Hell House. Bickel said the flavor was inspired by the band’s love for Crown Royal.
“There’s a time and place of you can’t predict what’s the flavor and that’s kind of fun, but for people that want a customized, authentic, exact whiskey every single time, we have that capability,” Bickel said.
Bespoken Spirits opened for tasting tours in March. Now, a member of the Bourbon Trail, they plan to have full facility tours later this summer.
“We are a tech company at heart and we’re going to be a technology driven tour,” Bickel said.
Bickel said tours will be tailored to the specific groups based on their interest in the production process.
Bespoken Spirits has the ability to produce around 80,000 gallons a year.
According to the KDA, distilling generates about $325 million in economic impact in Lexington alone.
Bespoken Spirits is located in Lexington at Greyline Station.