Topic: A Sip of Knowledge with Andrew Howell and Ari Klafter of Thornton Distilling Co.

Hosts: Liz Rhoades, Lew Bryson, & Martin Duffy

What You’ll Learn: Join a trio of drink industry veterans in weekly conversation on whiskey, spirits, distilling, marketing and the current state of the drink industry. This week, Andrew Howell and Ari Klafter of Thornton Distilling Co. join the group.

About Andrew Howell:

Andrew Howell became interested in craft distilling shortly after graduating from Columbia College Chicago. Upon learning that the oldest standing brewery in Illinois was sitting vacant with the original artesian well from 1857 still functioning, Andrew got to work on reviving the historic property and bringing back its rich history of malt fermentation. Andrew is originally from Nebraska. During his youth, Andrew worked on farms throughout the region, and his commitment to using locally sourced ingredients as much as possible continues to this day.

About Ari Klafter:

Ari Klafter has been the Head Distiller for Thornton Distilling Company since 2018. Ari previously served as Assistant Distiller at Privateer Rum in Ipswich, MA, and holds a Master’s degree in Brewing and Distilling from the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he lived and studied from 2016 to 2017. Hailing from New York originally, Ari is an alumnus of Swarthmore College. He has also served on the board of the Illinois Craft Distillers Association since 2019.

About the Hosts: 

• Liz Rhoades, founder of Spirit Safe Consulting, former research scientist for DIAGEO, distilling consultant, spirits writer for The Whiskey Wash & presenter.

• Lew Bryson, former managing editor for Whisky Advocate Magazine for 20 years, whiskey author, beer/whiskey writer and presenter.

• Martin Duffy, former DIAGEO Master of Whisky for the Midwest, DIAGEO Reserve Brand Ambassador for The Republic of Ireland, North American Brand Representative for Glencairn Crystal.