Master Distiller?

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Master Distiller?

Unread postby bourbonv » Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:46 am

If every one who purchases a still is now considered a "Master Distiller", does that mean everyone who purchases a hammer and saw is a "Master Carpenter"? Is the term "Master Distiller" becoming so watered down as to mean nothing? What do you think? Should there be some requirements before the term applies? Maybe a number of years of experience? Or maybe they should have to produce a "Masterpiece" as judge by other "Masters" of the craft?
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Re: Master Distiller?

Unread postby Bourbon Joe » Tue Dec 11, 2012 4:46 pm

I agree Mike. The term Master Distiller is used very loosely these days. Being a true master distiller is an art and requires many years "in the trenches".
When I hear that guys like Freddy Noe and the Zoellers are Master Distillers, I just laugh.
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Re: Master Distiller?

Unread postby bunghole » Wed Dec 12, 2012 6:09 pm

I may not be a Master Distiller, but I am a Master Drinker. Does that count? :drunken:
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Re: Master Distiller?

Unread postby EllenJ » Wed Dec 12, 2012 7:48 pm

Back in the '60s our town (Carlsbad, California) had a privately-owned band known as the C.O.V.E. (for Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, and Escondido) Youth Band. I was a drummer in that band. My sister was a majorette. Think "The Music Man" and "76 Trombones", except that this was a permanent organization rather than a fly-by-night instrument salesman. Why do I bring this up? Because (and I SWEAR I'm not making this up; you can Google COVE Youth Band yourself if you like), the leader of the band -- that is, the BandMASTER -- was a gentleman named Lloyd Bader. Yes, that would really have been, Master Bader. Life can be funny at times.
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Re: Master Distiller?

Unread postby Bourbon Joe » Wed Dec 12, 2012 10:58 pm

LOL.
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Re: Master Distiller?

Unread postby ebo » Thu Dec 20, 2012 3:53 pm

In my experience, the term "master" should be used sparingly. I've been a Cabinetmaker for 34 years. I would not call myself a "master" Cabinetmaker. I would say I'm very good at what I do, but I have people that I still look up to as better than me.

Are there any distillers around today that really deserve the title of Master? You guys would know better than I. The only guy that comes to mind is Jim Rutledge. Yes..... no?
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Re: Master Distiller?

Unread postby Bourbon Joe » Thu Dec 20, 2012 5:30 pm

YES.
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