DIVINE
  • English
    • Français
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Food
  • Family
  • Health
  • Travel
  • Living
  • Reviews
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Instagram
  • Legal
Stay Connected
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
DIVINE
  • English
  • French
DIVINE
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Living
  • Family
  • Health
  • Reviews
  • Food

Independent Spirit: The Art of Distilling in a Man’s World

  • August 29, 2017
  • 4 minute read
  • Jill Schneiderman
Distilling: Martha Lowry
FOR LIFE LOCAL GIN STORY Mill Street distiller Martha Lowry likes her gin neat, but designed it to work in a G&T as well. __Uploaded external by: Sismondo, Christine
Total
1
Shares
0
0
1

When you buy gin or other spirits, you never really think about how they get into the bottle before going into your cocktail glass.  Big batch spirits are made in large distilling factories.  The taste is consistent and there is no messing around with the formula.  Small batch spirits, such as Mill Street Brewery’s Craft Gin Spirit, are actually produced on-site at its Toronto Beer Hall location by mastermind Martha Lowry.  Each bottle is hand labelled by Martha on-site and with only 619 bottles available, it is in very limited supply.  With a passion for food, horticulture and science, Martha is in a unique position, as one of only two female distillers in Ontario.  We had a chance to catch up with Martha and find out more about everything from her favourite cocktail recipe to how she got into this unique career.

What is the difference between small batch gin and typical spirits sold at a liquor store?

There is no legal difference – the only requisite for gin is to be 35% alcohol with juniper.  Small batch gin is made on hot stills which are only able to produce 600-700 bottles at once.  Large batch are definitely less expensive, but may just be vodka with juniper essence poured in.  Smaller quantities mean that it has been distilled and there are different, more distinct flavours.

How did you get into gin distilling?

I have a horticulture background which helps.  I’ve always been excited about agriculture.  I wanted to create something that is made to stay that way forever and spirits are!  You can truly capture the taste profile that you want and it will have that same flavour no matter how long you have the bottle.  My actual start was as a brewer making beer and cider at Mill Street and I still love it, but I wanted to expand into spirits.

How common is it for women to become distillers?  How do you support one another?

It’s still not very common.  I’m the only one in Toronto and I think that there is only one other in Ontario and maybe 10 across Canada.  I went to a lunch at a distiller’s conference in the States that was targeted at women in the industry and only about 30 people showed up and some of them were in marketing.  It’s a very small community and we always are there to bounce ideas off of.

What would you tell the DIVINE reader who is thinking about getting into distilling or any other type of unusual or male dominated profession?

I would say to look up women’s distilling groups – it doesn’t just have to be gin, it can be any spirit.  I got my start by talking to everyone at the event and I eventually met Kaitlin Vandenbosch at a Women’s Whiskey Event which led to the start of my career as a brewer at Mill Street.  I never thought I’d ever use calculus after high school, now it’s an everyday event.  There is science and math behind distilling, so it’s important to have a good grasp of each.  No matter what your career path, it’s always good to speak with people and network.  There isn’t just one way to get into your chosen career.  Ask questions and connect with people.  You can do it!

What is the ideal way to do a gin tasting?

Ideally, it’s early morning, before you have had any other flavours in your mouth, but that’s not practical for most people.  You should do a tasting with friends and each of you can bring a different bottle.  Use a tulip shaped glass.  Do not swirl the gin; the alcohol has already evaporated and that is all that you will detect.  Smell the gin from both sides of the glass and try to identify the different notes – each nostril may pick up another scent.  It’s similar to wine tasting – take a sip and put a little over your tongue to get the flavour while breathing through your nose.  I want people to try and get excited about craft spirits – there are just so many flavours out there that even people who normally don’t like gin may find one that they love.

We know it doesn’t have gin, but we know that you like a good Manhattan.  How do you make the perfect one?

I like a Rye Manhattan.

Step 1: Make your own bourbon soaked cherries

Step 2:  Have a 2:1 vermouth to whiskey ratio – I’m a big fan of vermouth

Step 3: Add bitters to taste

Step 4: Chill mixing glasses (I leave mine in the freezer)

Step 5: Strain the mixture over ice, pour and serve

What’s next for you?

I have a whiskey coming out this fall.  Interestingly, whiskey is quicker to make than gin, but it has to be aged, so you need years to actually release the product.  I’m also thinking about adding a second gin to the Mill Street label.

The Fast Four (4 questions with answers in 4 words or less):

  • Your favourite mix? Just have it straight.
  • Favourite spot to enjoy a gin? Outside on a patio.
  • Favourite food pairing with your gin? Smoked Salmon.
  • If you had to do everything all over again, would you still be a distiller? Absolutely, I love it!

 

Total
1
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 1
You May Also Like
Coca-Cola Y3000 Zero: Bottles of the soft drink against a pastel bubble background
    • DIVINE Delights
    • Food

Coca-Cola Y3000 Zero Sugar – A Taste of the Future

  • Jill Schneiderman
  • September 24, 2023
Lunch: Wooden board with pizza surrounded by Tre Stelle
    • Food
    • Sponsored

Back to School Lunch Recipes with a Sustainable Twist!

  • divine.ca
  • September 20, 2023
Barilla Canada: Man and woman leaning against a wall featuring a plate of pasta
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Sponsored

Spin to Win Items from the Limited-Edition Clothing Capsule from Barilla Canada and Parasuco Until September 18

  • Jill Schneiderman
  • September 13, 2023
Tropical Destination: Beach at sunset
    • Food
    • Sponsored

Top Three Recipes that Transport You to a Tropical Destination

  • divine.ca
  • September 8, 2023
fit-nic: Picnic basket in a field
    • Food
    • Sponsored

Savour the Season’s Favourite Flavours with a Fun Fit-nic!

  • divine.ca
  • September 1, 2023
Related Topics
  • Cocktails
  • Female Gin Distillers
  • Gin
  • Gin Distillers
  • martha lowry
  • Mill Street
  • Mill Street Brewery
  • Small Batch Gin
  • toronto gin
Jill Schneiderman

Previous Article
Cactus Water
  • Health

5 Reasons Why Cactus Water is the New Super Drink

  • August 25, 2017
  • Véronique Vincelli
View Post
Next Article
Stephanie Bennett
  • Health

5 Questions with Stephanie Bennett from 21 Thunder

  • September 5, 2017
  • Caroline Elie
View Post

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search
Featured Posts
  • last Minute Father's Day Gifts: Happy Father's Day sign and 2 ties

    5 Best Ideas for Last Minute Father’s Day Gifts

    • 2 min
    View Post
  • Two for the Road: Book and Tea Cup

    DIVINE Reads: Two for the Road by Chantel Guertin

    • 2 min
    View Post
  • Getting Started in Tech: Woman on an ipad with laptop in the background

    5 Industries That Are Just Getting Started in Tech

    • 3 min
    View Post
Get in on the Fun
Top Posts
  • Hot Tub: Man and woman sitting in a hot tub 1
    Important Questions to Ask Before Buying Your First Hot Tub
    • 3 min
  • Bra for Plus Size Women: Women in undergarments lounging 2
    The Quest for Comfort: Finding the Perfect Bra for Plus Size Women
    • 3 min
  • Canadian Screen Awards: Ryan Reynolds with his Award 3
    Michelle Levy Spotlights: A Look Back at the Canadian Screen Awards
    • 3 min
Stay Connected
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
Featured Posts
  • Card Games: People around a table playing cards

    Card Games as Ice Breakers: Learning a Few Options Can be a Great Way to Make Travel Buddies

    • 5 min
    View Post
  • Canada's 100 Best Restaurants: Diners at Mon Lapin

    The Complete List of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2023

    • 3 min
    View Post
  • A Glimpse Into Yummie, Your New Favourite Shapewear Brand

    • 2 min
    View Post
about
DIVINE Magazine

Canada's Online Women's Magazine

DIVINE Magazine is the bilingual online destination for Canadian women. Bringing you trending features that are relevant and interesting to Canadian women, DIVINE is the place to visit for useful, practical and entertaining content.
Subscribe
Partner Network
SWAGGER Magazine, North America’s
Online Men‘s Luxury Lifestyle Magazine.Ohlala.ca, Canada’s Destination for Everything You Need to Know About Dating & Sex.
about
Stay Connected

Follow along on Instagram @DIVINEdotca

Kick your feed up a notch with the hottest beauty, style trends, recipes and more! It's not too late, follow along today and you might just catch the behind-the-scenes of our next shoot or even a contest. You can thank us later. ;) #Divinistas
Follow Us
DIVINE
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Making your life a little more DIVINE.

Copyright © 2022 Divine.ca · All Rights Reserved

Input your search keywords and press Enter.