Rotarians learn about distilling in Georgia

Published 8:00 am Wednesday, September 21, 2011

By Lake Oconee Breeze

You never know how good a presentation will be until you hear it. Today Gilbert Klemann, MD presented 13th Colonies to the Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties and what a treat it was. Dr. Klemann’s presentation was lucid and to be quite honest, he would rank as a great standup comic. But enough of that.

 Thirteenth Colony began as a casual conversation among friends about making moonshine as Christmas gifts for friends, family, and employees. As the conversation evolved over the coming months, the idea began to take hold and plans developed to create a distillery in Georgia that would offer spirits “we would be proud to offer our friends and neighbors and proud to have our names on.”

Based in Americus, Georgia, Thirteenth Colony produces unique handcrafted small-batch spirits with a southern flair. “Our initial product offering in April of 2009, was Plantation Vodka, a high quality vodka with a traditional vodka taste profile featuring artwork on the label by the Georgia artist of the year, David Lanier.” The second product was a Southern Vodka, a silky smooth vodka produced in August of 2009. The third offering was Southern Gin, released in February of 2010 and already a multiple award winning spirit including a gold medal at the SIP International Tasting Competition in San Diego and a silver medal at the recent BTI completion in Chicago. The fourth product was released in the fall of 2010, a Limited Release of Southern Corn Whiskey. In keeping with the Thirteenth Colony philosophy, it is handcrafted, small batch, limited quantity

Bourbon is on the horizon. And just imagine, it is all made in the USA and available in Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. The journey is just beginning.

Rotary is an exemplary community organization of businessmen, women and professionals who seek to serve the communities in which they work and live.  The mission of Rotary International, a worldwide association of Rotary clubs, is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.  For more information on Rotary of Greene and Putnam counties please visit www.GreenePutnamRotary.org.