Let's talk stills. But not some romanticized copper vessel that "Great-great-grandpappy" left behind. We're looking at Fenwicks Distillery's setup to see why their stills matter, and why you, the discerning drinker, should care. Most people just want to know if it's "good." You've evolved past "Is it smooth?" and are asking why it tastes like anything other than lighter fluid. The answer is in the still, sure, but a better question is: What did they put in the still in the first place? Let's ignore the master distiller's biography and talk about the grain he actually bought. That's the real hero of the story, and the still is just the complicated tool that makes sure it gets to your glass intact.
A still is a glorified kettle: heat fermented grain mash (the “distiller’s beer”), alcohol vaporizes, you capture it, and cool it back down to “white dog” (high-proof, un-aged whiskey). The difference between a masterpiece and a mistake is how you do it. The two main culprits are the pot still and the column still.
Fenwicks didn’t fall for the “artisanal” gimmick of a pure pot still setup. They treat the still like a tool, not a religious artifact. Their system is a calculated hybrid, built for control.
Step One: A craft-sized column still handles the initial “stripping run.” This separates the alcohol efficiently, creating a clean, high-proof base. It gets the job done without annihilating the mash’s personality.
Step Two (The Kicker): The spirit then moves to a custom-designed pot still, the “doubler” or “thumper,” for a secondary distillation. This is where the distiller plays God, making precise cuts to ditch the undrinkable “heads” (too volatile) and “tails” (too oily) and keep the beautiful “hearts.” This deliberate, inefficient extra step re-introduces the classic, full-bodied character and allows them to sculpt the final flavor profile. It’s using a super-efficient machine to prep the coffee, then switching to a meticulous, time-consuming pour-over for the final brew.
This hybrid method sidesteps the unruly nature of pure pot-still whiskey while avoiding the criminal blandness of a straight column-still product. It’s a pragmatic choice: they’re more concerned with what’s in your glass than what sounds good on a plaque.
Fenwicks’ bourbon stills are only one part of the magic. You need more than one expensive copper piece to make a masterpiece.
The problem with reviews? Your palate is a liar, and so is everyone else’s. I can lecture you on congener levels until I’m hoarse, but you’ll still taste “vanilla and baking spice” while your buddy swears it’s “toasted marshmallow and black pepper.” You’re both wrong, and you’re both right.
This is where the OAKR app comes in. OAKR acts as your personal bourbon sommelier. We aggregate data from blind tasting panels to create a comprehensive, data-driven flavor profile for countless spirits. We cut through the subjective nonsense and show you what flavors are actually detected by consensus.
You can use the app to explore Fenwicks’ lineup before you even walk into the store. See if their award-winning 1816 Indiana Rye matches the profiles you typically enjoy. OAKR helps you validate that a premium price might be worth it by showing you the flavor map ahead of time. The app can even provide personalized recommendations based on what you already know you like, introducing you to your next favorite bottle.
Fenwicks Distillery chose the hard path. Their investment in a hybrid system is a direct commitment to control, consistency, and character. They built a process that yields a spirit that is both clean and complex, a neat trick that appeals to the grizzled bourbon veteran and the curious newcomer.
Next time you’re facing that wall of whiskey, unsure about an Indiana distillery you’re just learning about, remember their process. They’re not just making bourbon; they’re engineering flavor on purpose. Try their spirits and see if you can taste the deliberate process behind the pour. And, as always, check it out on OAKR first to cut the guessing game. You might just find out what happens when ambition gets bottled.
Login to OAKR for spirit profile flavor data, create your own lists and customize your palate to get custom somm recommendations on whiskey you’ll love.
