Karrikin Spirits Co., a "grain to glass" distillery and restaurant located in Fairfax, opened its doors to the public on Dec. 6.
The distillery is a one-stop-shop for a variety of housemade spirits and beverages like vodka, gin, agave spirit, rum and fruit brandies as well as hard sodas, non-alcoholic sodas and beers. Guests can order craft cocktails, wine and beverages (including beer/hard soda flights and spirit flights) at Karrikin’s full-service bar or at their quick-service bar, or even purchase bottled spirits to take home.
In addition to beverages, the restaurant — helmed by chef Jared Bennett, formerly the executive chef of downtown’s Metropole — offers a menu full of creative housemade dishes. The dining area includes two formal spaces on either side of the kitchen-bar, which has a view of the wood-fired grill, and a lounge area with an eclectic grouping of chairs and couches upon which guests can sip, dine and hang out.
According to a press release from the company, new growth and innovation is the driving force behind the distillery's approach to the craft beverage industry. ‘'Karrikins' are compounds found in the smoke of a forest fire that stimulates dormant seeds to sprout,” the press release explains.
The team behind the distillery comes from across the Queen City and are experts of their respective trades, working together to bring something new to Cincinnati. Founders of the distillery include: Jeff Hunt, founder of MadTree Brewing; Mike Florea, former executive chef and operating partner at Maribelles Eat+Drink; Jeff Reichard, president of Holt & Reichard, Inc.; Dan Hueber, owner of The V Collective; Mike Powell, former vice president of operations at Panera Bread; John Pattison, creative director at Unscripted Ideas; and Eric Baumann, former vice president of Moerlein.
Karrikin Spirits Co., 3717 Jonlen Drive, Fairfax, karrikinspirits.com.
