Still 630 is essentially a one-man operation. The St. Louis craft distillery was founded in 2012 by David Weglarz. He's been plugging away, making small-batch whiskies and rum, with some local recognition and distribution. But Weglarz won big when he entered his spirits in their second-ever competition with the American Craft Spirits Association.
See also: Still630 Distills Whiskey in Downtown St. Louis
The ASCA is a purveyors and distillers association for "everyone that's not Jim Beam," Weglarz jokes. Over 200 distilleries submitted their wares to be judged, and Still 630 came out with three medals.
The RallyPoint Maple Sunset rye whiskey won a gold medal. The whiskey begins "as a single barrel of RallyPoint Rye Whiskey, aging in a Missouri Oak barrel [and] finished to perfection in an ex-bourbon, ex-maple syrup barrel."
"These are our first awards we've ever won," Weglarz says. "Since I started this place up myself, I dreamed and hoped this place would still be going, and to win an award is a dream come true."
The S.S. Sorghum Whiskey and the Soulard Island Rum both won bronze medals. Weglarz says the next step is to ramp up production (which can be difficult when you're waiting on the whiskey to you know, age) and distribute across the state, not just St. Louis and Columbia.
"There's a lot more to go. We're trying to keep up the demand -- that's the biggest challenge right now," he says. "We're a startup, and trying to get our feet on the ground, but this is a huge validation."
You can find the full list of winners here, and find out where Still 630 spirits are available here.
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