I love small brands. So much so that I co-created one, I am the Western USA Ambassador for some imported ones, and I'm a cheerleader for the people with passion who lay it all on the line to do something they love.So, when Dan Gentile of Thrillist.com asked me to be on a panel of spirits writers choosing their favorite craft distillers, I was quite excited. To be honest, I could have mentioned several more, but I wanted to get a smattering of folks around the US whose booze I like and are small producers. Here is a link to the Thrillist article and below is a list of who I picked for my Top Ten, and why: #1 KGB Spirits – Alcalde, N.M.This truly micro distillery ages Taos Lightning bourbon and rye whiskeys between 5 – 15 years in barrels exposed to all 4 seasons. They also make potato-based Hacienda gin, as well as Naranjo orange liqueur and Brimstone Absinthe. All spirits are blended with local branch water from a well on the property, made in copper pot stills imported from Bavaria, and recently finished their new fermentation room. Principle owner, John Bernasconi, designed the filter which includes Santa Fe-esque healing crystals. Every bottle is hand-labeled with the batch and bottle number. On other advertisement, checkout ICBC Car Accident Claim Vancouver.http://kgbspirits.com # 2 Whistle Pig Rye Whiskey – Shoreham, VermontWhen master distiller Dave Pickerell is involved, you know the whiskey is going to be good! The former head of Makers Mark led the Whistle Pig team in creating one of the most sough-after ryes on shelves, today. Aged 10-years (100 proof) and 11 years (110 proof), it is strong but mellow. The new Boss Hog is aged 12 years (120 proof) and only available in limited quantity.http://www.whistlepigwhiskey.com #3 Leopold Brothers – Denver, ColoradoWhile known for their spirits – gin, whiskey, absinthe verte, etc. – the Leopold Brother liqueurs are quite special and beautifully crafted. Blackberry, cherry and other fruits are bright and tasty without being cloying, with the Alpine herbal being my personal favorite. Their sustainable distillery is in the heart of Colorado, which is experiencing quite a boom in micro-distilleries, statewide.http://www.leopoldbros.com/New_site/Leopold_Bros.html #4 High West – Park City, UtahIt seems counter-intuitive to have an innovative small distiller in Utah, which is known for its strict liquor laws, dry counties and high population of non-imbibing Mormons. In fact, distilleries were outlawed there from 1870 right up until High West started making booze there once again in 2007. Among the most popular of their spirits is the BouRye – a blend of both bourbon and rye whiskeys, providing a richly smooth sip with a touch of spice.http://www.highwest.com #5 North Shore Distillery – Chicago, IllionoisRun by Derek and Sonja Kassebaum, this boutique distillery is one of the leaders among small batch booze. The pair, a bare bones staff, and a still named Ethel produce small batch, hands-on gin, vodka, aquavit and absinthe.http://www.northshoredistillery.com/default.htm #6 No. 209 Distillery – San Francisco, CaliforniaSan Francisco’s cocktail scene has played a huge part in bringing mixology into mainstream USA. Therefore, it only made sense that a quality, small-batch distillery should grace the City by the Bay. No. 209 is owned by the Rudd family who are also proprietors of Rudd Oakville Estate Winery as well as Dean & Deluca. Their focus is gin. And they do gin well.http://distillery209.com/gin #7 Peach Street Distillers – Palisade, ColoradoColorado’s growth in craft beer, cocktails and distilleries has made it a virtual one-stop shopping destination for people passionate about small batch products. Peach Street makes some very unique products. Among them, the luscious Peach and Pear Brandies, several Eau de Vies, bourbon and an agave spirit.http://www.peachstreetdistillers.com # 8 House Spirits – Portland, OregonNestled in the heart of what’s called “distillery row” in Portland, House Spirits has been producing small batch spirits since 2004. While they do whiskey, vodka and a coffee liqueur, their most known product is Aviation gin, which is dry while maintaining floral and spicy notes.http://housespirits.com #9 Ransom Spirits – Sheridan, OregonThis small distillery is so impassioned by tradition that they brought in an industry historian, David Wondrich, to help research original formulas for their spirits. The Old Tom Gin is of particular interest. Like all modern gins, it is macerated with botanicals, including juniper. However, hearkening back to historical techniques, it is then aged in oak casks, imparting both color and flavor.http://www.ransomspirits.com/index.php#10 Green Bar Collective - Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe people behind this organic distillery in downtown LA started off making flavored vodkas. A couple of years later, they caught on to the sustainable trend and have collaborated on a many products since then. One of their most interesting lines of products is the Bar Keep bitters which are organic and come in an interesting range of flavors suggested by well-known mixologists.http://www.greenbar.biz