Empirical - The Plum , I Suppose

Named after the song by Misfits, it's crafted with pearled barley that is steamed in an old butter churner. It is then combined with koji-kin spores, the mold that is a key ingredient in sake and miso. The barley-koji is left to ferment in a room with controlled temperature and humidity, then brewed together with pilsner malt and barley into a beer. After the beer ferments with the help of Belgian saison yeast. Even the distillation process is unusual, as they have opted for vacuum distillation, preserving the flavors and aromas in the finished 80-proof spirit that has rich sweet, umami, and floral notes.

The Plum, I Suppose is created by distilling plum pits from the plump Stanley plums and a healthy dose of Helena. Based on Lars Williams' favorite dessert ― plum kernel-infused whipped cream, potato mash, and plum compote ― the kernels are distilled into a sweet, light, and nutty spirit. The flavor is then upgraded with a herbal marigold infusion that adds aromatic floral notes.