Rum Rules: Montanya Distillers’ Karen Hoskin

Rum Rules: Montanya Distillers’ Karen Hoskin

Author: BLISTER June 14, 2023 Duration: 1:14:45

Today we’re discussing the rules of rum with Karen Hoskin, founder of Montanya Distillers, which produces some of the best rum in the country — right here in Crested Butte, Colorado.

If you’re someone who hasn’t been all that into rum, this conversation will shed light on why you might have felt that way; explain why Karen doesn’t make Montanya’s rum the way that a lot of mainstream rum is produced; and is a pretty amazing crash course in the history of rum, rum culture, the longstanding tradition of “mountain rum”, and more.

As you’ll hear, Karen not only has a lot of conviction about her own rules for rum making, but she has a number of deeply held principles that extend well beyond the craft of exceptional rum-making.

TOPICS & TIMES:

Turning Point: Dec 23, 1988 (3:25)

Rum in the 2000's (8:55)

Ways of Making Rum (13:28)

​​Rum & Louisiana Sugar Cane (20:47)

Laws for US Sugar Cane (29:42)

Why Distill in Colorado? (32:32)

Advertising Rum & Environmental Concerns (36:46)

Challenges of Making Great Rum (40:31)

Montanya’s One-of-a-Kind Stil (44:04)

Aging & Barreling (50:46)

Montanya’s Staple Rums (58:31)

RELATED LINKS

Montanya Distillers: Where to Buy

Blister Craft Collective

Become a BLISTER+ Member

SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Bikes & Big Ideas

Off The Couch

GEAR:30

Blister Podcast

Happy Hour



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There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when someone has dedicated their life to making something tangible, driven by obsession over details most of us overlook. CRAFTED, from BLISTER, is built on those conversations. Each episode moves beyond a simple product review to explore the entire ecosystem of creation, whether the subject is a meticulously roasted coffee, a complex whiskey, a precision timepiece, or a bold new wine. You'll hear directly from the individuals who define these fields-brewers, distillers, founders, and artisans who started their ventures not because it was easy, but because they couldn't imagine doing anything else. This podcast digs into the raw materials, the failed experiments, the business risks taken on a principle, and the quiet triumphs that happen long before a product reaches a shelf. It’s about the philosophy embedded in the process as much as the technical skill. Tuning in feels less like listening to an interview and more like pulling up a stool in a workshop or a tasting room, offering an intimate look at the patience, setbacks, and unwavering standards that transform a simple idea into a crafted object. The stories are specific, but the themes of creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit are universal, connecting anyone who appreciates the depth behind a well-made thing.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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