How Craft Gin Is Made: Botanicals, Business, & Building Something That Lasts

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Ginkins at Frontline Tastings in Tampa to talk about craft gin, distilling, entrepreneurship, manufacturing, product development, and what it takes to build a spirits brand from the ground up. Scott shares how his background in economics and manufacturing led him toward the beverage industry, why he chose gin instead of entering Kentucky’s crowded bourbon market, and how studying distilling through Heriot-Watt University helped him develop the technical foundation for his products.

Scott and I break down how gin is actually made, including botanical selection, alcohol extraction, proof, temperature, distillation speed, flavor balance, and the differences between traditional dry gin and floral expressions. He explains how ingredients such as juniper, coriander, cardamom, citrus, elderflower, cinnamon, and nutmeg interact, and how repeated testing helped him refine his formulas. We also discuss his scientific-method approach to product development, the importance of documented manufacturing processes, and how consistency becomes critical when you want a product to taste the same years into the future.

We also get into the business side of running a craft distillery, including building the facility, finding distributors, getting products onto shelves, conducting tastings, entering larger retailers, marketing a small spirits brand, and competing against established companies. Scott talks about the importance of perseverance, believing in the product, and understanding that nearly every stage of entrepreneurship can take longer than expected.

Scott also explains the thinking behind his brand identity, including the “We build connections, you pour it forward” philosophy, the Kentucky quilt-inspired bottle design, and the botanical symbols incorporated into the packaging. We discuss why he prefers focusing on a small number of high-quality products instead of constantly chasing trends, novelty flavors, or short-term attention.

We close by talking about supporting local businesses, buying from craft producers, sharing products with friends and family, and appreciating the amount of work that goes into products most consumers only ever see as a finished bottle on a shelf.

https://ginkinsgin.com/