When Andrew Martin opened Thistle Finch Distillery in December 2013, it was the first distillery in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, since Prohibition and one of only a handful of microdistilleries in the state.
Martin uses a combination of traditional techniques and novel approaches to handcraft double-distilled rye whiskey that has already earned an international award.
Challenge
Thistle Finch relies on a Burnham Commercial 5B Series boiler to heat water in the distillery’s 300-gallon mash tun and to boil mash in its hand-built 150-gallon pot still. With each step, Martin has put his own spin on traditional processes.
He uses grains milled to a finer consistency than most and leaves the grain in the mash through the fermentation stage to maximize flavor. He also distills to a lower roof level to reduce the need for adding water when proofing the distillate down to bottle strength.
Solution
When Martin was choosing a boiler to power his process, he was looking for the same combination of reliable old-world craftsmanship and state-of-the-art innovation. “My installer suggested the 5B Series from Burnham,” Martin said. “I knew the company had a solid reputation, and the fact that they were local was a vote-in-favor.”
Martin found the 5B easy to operate, maintain, and an ideal solution for microdistillers
Martin found the 5B easy to operate and maintain. “I liked the 5B because it’s low maintenance, it’s simple to use and it will basically last forever,” he said. “It does everything I need and it’s large enough to fire both pieces of equipment at the same time.” Martin is looking forward to releasing his first batch of aged whiskeys sometime in 2016.
The Burnham 5B Series is an ideal solution for microdistillers who want to bring the best of old-world knowledge and new world thinking to their signature spirits.
Commercial Atmospheric Gas-Fired Steam Boiler Features
- Cast iron sectional design
- Cast iron nipples instead of gaskets
- 401 to 1,950 MBH input
- Compact footprint
- Atmospheric vent
- Suited to low ceiling height
