530 - A Moonshiner Turned Legit with Royce Neeley of Neeley Family Distillery

Bourbon Pursuit

In the bourbon world, we often talk about lineage and tradition. But what happens when that tradition is rooted in something a little... less than legal? That's the story we're getting into today with an incredible guest. We're sitting down with Royce Neely, the owner of Neely Family Distillery, whose family has been moonshining for generations. Royce isn't just carrying on a legacy; he's bringing it out of the backwoods. He’s taking us through his fascinating journey, from studying at Transylvania University to building his own distillery from the ground up. He's diving deep into the science and the art behind his craft, explaining his obsession with yeast, the secrets of sweet mashing, and what it takes to produce an award-winning absinthe. We're also getting an exclusive look at what's next for his distillery, including the installation of a one-of-a-kind three-chamber still designed to take his game to a whole new level.
Show Notes:

• The origins and development of Neely Family Distillery
• Royce's early interactions with moonshining and their influence on his career
• Key distillation techniques, including sweet mashing and yeast selection
• Insights into the distillery's acclaimed absinthe and market challenges
• The anticipated impact of the new three-chamber still on whiskey production
• The significance of family and collaboration in Royce’s distillation process
• Support this podcast on Patreon

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