40. Phantom V, Chris Groves and Mike Hammerly/Distillery/Alcohol/Doing Things Differently/Innovative Business/Brandy/Distilled Specialty Spirit

Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten

Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! Today we have two of the five owners of Phantom V Distillery, Chris Groves and Mike Hammerly! Five friends came together to create an innovative alcohol that is closely related to Brandy (the alcohol, not me). Brandy is made from fruit, but cannot be distilled greater than 160 proof. Phantom V’s alcohol is coming in at 192 proof. When you reach numbers that are above the normal classifications, the alcohol becomes a “Distilled Specialty Spirit”. Now, they are also able to create other alcohols such as vodka by lowering the alcohol’s proof down to 80.

Phantom V Distillery built enough room for a restaurant to rent a space. Colton’s Steakhouse was the perfect restaurant. Both Colton’s and Phantom V benefit from this mutualistically beneficial relationship. Plus, the location of the distillery is filled with history and a connection with the 1904 World’s Fair.

You will have no problem understanding why people are tailgating to get into Phantom V! They truly are doing things differently. You would think that an alcohol that comes in as 192 proof would taste awful or make you grow chest hair. Nope! It is the exact opposite. Their Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookie Brandy will have you doing a double take to see how many bottles you can bring home with you!

Why is it called Phantom V? Guess you’ll have to listen to find out.