Written by Shana Thornton
Photos by DC Thomas
Green Beret Andrew Lang created a homemade still during his deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan, creating rum and whiskey. He used the local agricultural supplies and his limited knowledge of making homemade wine, and many “almost right” attempts, to craft what is now considered Leatherwood Distillery’s signature Sweet Feed American Whiskey.
After multiple deployments and serving 25 years, Lang retired from the U.S. Army and turned his attention to distilling spirits full-time. His original still is available for viewing at the distillery downtown. As Leatherwood Distillery’s Spirit Portfolio explains, “His original homemade still, built from a beer keg, copper pipes, and a turkey cooker, is now proudly displayed in the Leatherwood tasting room.”
Veteran Owned and Operated
Joining Lang are more veteran partners, PJM Trust as well as Laurel Harris and Brian LaFond. They have five decades of military service between the owners. Almost every space in their building has been used to honor and remember military service.
The Leatherwood logo is a shield that they needed special permission from the U. S. Army to use, and they are one of a handful of companies in the country that is allowed to use the shield in their company’s branding. The numbers on the shield represent the team Andy led as a Team Sergeant: 5 = 5th group, 1 = 1st battalion, 2 = 2nd company, 3 = team 3. The crossed arrows are from Andy’s regiment crest, and the spartan head is from his team.
Many of the names of their products give a nod to the military and service: Checkpoint Rye (80 Proof) is a whiskey with only 66% rye in the mash bill, a hint of spice, and corn sweetness in the mash, all of which gives it a smoother taste compared to other ryes; Midnight Extraction White Rum (80 Proof) acknowledges those middle of the night assignments and is an old, pot style rum with a hint of sweetness; the name of Fog of War Vodka (80 Proof) needs no explanation and is made from 100% corn and filtered through charcoal for a pure flavor.
Share a Drink in Memory & Honor
Leatherwood Distillery contains a wall of photographs and information about soldiers who have lost their lives in service to our country. Many people stop into the distillery, take down an image of a soldier, and have a drink in their honor. The plaque in the center of the wall of photographs says,
“This memorial flag is dedicated to the Warriors who have made the ultimate sacrifice from 5th Special Forces Group Airborne. They represent the finest of us all!
‘DE OPPRESSO LIBER’
‘TO FREE THE OPPRESSED’
STRENGTH AND HONOR.”
Straight Up
From the bourbons and whiskeys, Leatherwood offers some straight up classics: Snake Eater Bourbon Whiskey (85 Proof), Tennessee Straight Whiskey (90 Proof), APSU Governors Select Bourbon (85 Proof), Sweet Feed American Whiskey (80 Proof, mentioned earlier), and other special whiskeys and bourbons are available.
Rum Flavors
Leatherwood Distillery offers many flavors to add pizzazz to your drinks, and many of them give a nod to Southern culture: Georgia Peach flavored white rum (60 Proof), Apple Pie flavored white rum (60 Proof), Jalapeno Lemon flavored white rum (80 Proof), Elderberry flavored white rum (60 Proof), and Vanilla Whip flavored white rum (60 Proof). The Elderberry is created with small-batch elderberry syrup and slightly sweetened with sugar. Jalapeno Lemon is created using Midnight Extraction Rum run through a gin basket filled with fresh jalapenos and lemons, bringing the flavor without the heat. The Vanilla Whip is known as “dessert in a glass,” as it was inspired by the Moon Pie, a longtime Tennessee dessert and product. They have more flavors, so stopping in to take in all the choices is a necessity.
Moonshine, Gin, & More
Leatherwood Distillery’s Distilled Dry Gin (80 Proof) is distilled using a gin basket filled with juniper, star anise, orris root, and coriander for a complex gin. They craft moonshine and brandy as well.
Tours and Events
Leatherwood Distillery offers two tour experiences, and both give you an opportunity to taste the products. They offer a standard tour which includes a 30-45-minute guided walk, a look into the history of the distillery, and a whirl around the distilling floor where the mash cookers, fermentation tanks, and the still are located, as well as the barrel room. And of course, you get to taste the spirits – 5 different tastings in this tour.
The In-Depth Tour gives you more time for their immersive journey, “grain to glass” as they call it with a 45-60-minute walkaround, a history deep dive, and a look at the distilling floor in action. You’ll receive a sample pulled straight from the barrel, visit the barrel room and bottling process, and then, finish it all with a tasting of at least fifteen spirits!
They have a list of tours and events on their website.
History on the Rocks: 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Thursday, September 17
Leatherwood Distillery will host History on the Rocks for the Fall issue of Second & Commerce magazine from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 17. This is a free event, but patrons can purchase food and some light bite appetizers during the event. Leatherwood Distillery has created two signature drinks in honor of articles from the magazine: Chestnut Old Fashioned (choice of bourbon or whiskey, black walnut bitters, simple syrup, cherry, and orange peel) and Quilted Coffee (Gawha Coffee Rum, regular or peppermint, and Vanilla Whip Rum over ice). Come out and try these special spirits.
Guests will include Anne Goetze and Ellen Bibb, members of the Middle Tennessee-based en plain air painters’ conservation organization, The Chestnut Group; Roxanne Jenkins, Historical Interpreter for Ft. Defiance Civil War Park who will discuss the history of The Clarksville Female Academy; and Fred Landiss sharing about his family quilt on loan in the Customs House Museum’s current exhibition, Piecing the Past: Quilts from the Collection.
Visit
Leatherwood Distillery is located at 119 College Street. You can find their products at liquor stores across Middle Tennessee (listed on the website). Leatherwood Distillery | Clarksville, TN
Join us on September 17 for History on the Rocks!
Shana Thornton is the Marketing & Media Manager and Managing Editor of Second & Commerce, the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center’s arts, history, and culture magazine. She is an author and publisher, Founder of the Clarksville-Montgomery County African American Legacy Trail, and the Montgomery County Deputy Historian.