The buzz surrounding micro distillers both in Australia and in other parts of the world gives pause to consider exactly what should be classified as a ‘micro’ / ‘small batch’ / ‘craft’ operation. Call it what you will, as they continue to multiply, how do we differentiate them from other distilleries? Noted American spirits writer, F.Paul Pacult, offers one approach: “Craft distilling is difficult to define, much like “Small Batch Bourbon”, which likewise has no legal definition. Here’s our stab at it: Small, independent and aligned (meaning supported by large, mainstream distilling companies) distillers who produce distillates in less than 10,000 cases quantities per year should be considered authentic craft distillers. Any distillery that produces more than 10,000 cases, whether independent or aligned, is, in our view, a mid-range distillery.”
www.tastings.com