Texas Distillery Goes Big and Bold

Nov. 14, 2014 – As the saying goes, everything is bigger in Texas and the brand new Ironroot Republic Distillery in Denison is no exception.

The Distillery officially opens it doors in its new location, in a former boat dealership, on November 15 with a big party and Texas barbecue. The huge showroom now houses a 1,000-gallon pot still from Kentucky, which is said to be the biggest in the South but the owners have yet to sell a single bottle of their spirits.

The two brothers who have created and invested in this “grain to glass” distillery – Robert and Jonathan Likarish – remain undaunted.  Jonathan quietly stated his goals starting with sales from the distillery, then to all of Texas, moving into markets around the U.S., then ultimately internationally.

While their bourbon ages for two years in French oak barrels, Ironroot will launch with Carpenter’s Bluff Moonshine ($30) and Blue Norther Vodka ($25). The first project once the launch is over is a gin that will blend European juniper with local Texas juniper.  Among the botanicals will be coriander grown by their mother.  You can’t get much more local than that.  It will be called Texas Drought, a kind of tongue-in-cheek homage to London Dry.

The grains used in distillation also come from Texas, milled just 40 minutes away from the distillery.  They are mashed, fermented and distilled in-house to create truly handmade, craft spirits.

Perhaps the future project that excites both brothers the most is the production of brandy.  Denison, TX is the home and resting place of Thomas Volney Munson whose extensive study of American grape varietals, especially for winemaking, is legendary.  His work on rootstock development earned him a place in viticulture history by using native Texas vines to create phylloxera-resistant rootstock in the late 19^th century.  This saved the French vineyards, ravaged by phylloxera, and Munson was awarded Chevalier du Merite Agricole of the French Legion of Honor by the French government.  To this day Denison, Texas and Cognac, France remain sister cities.

So if you are anywhere near Denison, drop in on Ironroot Republic Distillery, enjoy a 100% Texas libation, and meet two entrepreneurs who are keeping the American dream alive.