DISTILLING

“There is an old joke that asks what a distiller calls a brewer? The answer is, a quitter,” laughs Brent Pounds, owner and operator of Spirits of the Wasatch Distillery. “We get to the beer stage and then we go the extra step of separating the alcohol from everything else.” 

Pounds, a former mechanical engineer, and his wife, Jennica, a software developer, moved to Utah in 2018 with their two young sons. Little did they know that this choice would lead to purchasing a distillery. They were excited by the opportunity to own a distillery and the creativity it inspired. “We had been discussing the idea of opening a distillery after we retired,” says Pounds, “but when this distillery came available, Jennica was quick to act and encouraged me to consider purchasing it slightly sooner than I had planned.”  

Since purchasing the distillery 13 months ago, Pounds has sharpened his distilling knowledge by taking numerous courses. He attended the prestigious six-day whiskey course at Moonshine University in Kentucky. With his newfound skills, he has introduced some unique award-winning spirits to the distillery. These include a “vodka-based coffee liqueur which features beans from King Peak Roasters,” and their High Mountain Desert Gin. They also offer a barrel-aged version of the gin that spends eight months in a used rye whiskey barrel to enhance its flavor profile. As Pounds explains, “Our gin is inspired by the smells of rainfall in the high mountain desert and contains botanicals from the area including sage and juniper berries.”  

Pounds is also excited to introduce the first Amburana finished whiskey to the Utah market. The rare South American wood lends complex flavors of maple, honey, butterscotch, toasted nuts and ginger to the spirit.  

Currently, Pounds has put on his creative hat and is working on some new products for the distillery, including a pepper-infused vodka. “I grew up in Pueblo, Colorado, the home of the Pueblo chile pepper. It’s fairly spicy, very flavorful, and I think it beats a hatch.”  

When asked which alcoholic beverage is his favorite, Pounds has a tough time choosing. Rather than commit to just one, he recommends that patrons stop by the tasting room, Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 am to 7 pm, and decide for themselves. “Or if you would like to explore the distillation process and how we age our spirits, you can visit us for a guided tour of the small distillery,” he says.   

Additionally, the distillery’s Hidden Vodka and High Mountain Desert Gin can be found at the state liquor store along with the coffee liqueur.  

Spirits of the Wasatch Distillery is located in the heart of Salt Lake City at 3697 West 1987 South, or check out their website at wasatch.co.