Learn to Craft Your Own Spirits
Designed to deliver an immersive, educational, and memorable experience, our Apprenticeship Program offers a deep dive into the distillation process. Guided by head distiller Russell Thorp, apprentices experience the hands-on use of state-of-the art equipment as they craft their unique mash bill that tells the architect’s own flavor story.
The Soul of the Spirit – The Mash Bill
Every great spirit begins with a conversation between grains. Our mash bill is that dialogue in motion — a harmony of hand-selected corn, barley, rye, or wheat, each chosen not just for its flavor, but for the story it tells in the glass.
- Corn brings the warmth — rich, sweet, golden tones like a summer field under sun.
- Rye sparks the fire — bold, spicy, and lively, it dances on the tongue.
- Wheat softens the edges — smooth, mellow, and graceful, like a gentle southern breeze.
- Barley adds the backbone — earthy, nutty, and deep, it grounds the spirit with character and tradition.
- We don’t just blend grains — we compose them like a symphony. Each batch is a finely tuned expression, where no two barrels sing quite the same song.
This is not just a recipe.
- It’s a rhythm.
- It’s a heritage.
- It’s the soul of our spirit — born of grain, fire, time, and patience.
Apprenticeship Seven-Step Timeline
| Step 1: | Project introduction | Develop mash bill | 3–4 hours |
| Step 2: | Cook mash | Transfer to fermenters | Two 8-hour days |
| Step 3: | Fermentation | Monitor progress | 1–2 weeks (little contact) |
| Step 4: | Distillation | Four still runs | Four 6-hour days |
| Step 5: | Barreling | Produce barrel tag | 3–4 hours |
| Step 6: | Aging | Monitor color and taste | Sample provided every 6 months until product is fully aged |
| Step 7: | Bottling | Bring some friends | One 8–10-hour day |
At the conclusion of the apprenticeship program, apprentices will have created their own special spirit from beginning to end and will leave with a personalized barrel and cases of their own crafted spirits.
Feedback
“Apprenticing at Castle Spirits has been a transformative and genuinely inspiring process. I’ve enjoyed mastering the procedures to operate the equipment and spending time with Russell—his passion, patience, and deep knowledge make him an outstanding mentor. I was amazed by how intricate and precise the distilling process is, from selecting grains to developing the final flavor. One of the most rewarding moments was placing the spirits I crafted into the barrel—which I now get to sample during our quarterly tastings. Those who join the program can expect a truly unique and deeply rewarding experience under Russell’s one-on-one guidance.”
—Mike, Oklahoma City