Embark Magazine October 2024

Gulf Stream Distillery Co. is an up-and-coming player in the fast-growing craft spirits industry. What began as a backyard distilling experiment became a first-rate boutique craft distillery in Fort Lauderdale. Their artisanal approach sets them apart. They incorporate all-natural premium ingredients, while honoring the region's history, to create exceptional spirits.

The company has been recognized for its hand-crafted award-winning gin: A Gold Medal with the New York International Spirits Competition and a Silver Medal with the American Distilling Institute. The New York Spirits Competition recently awarded Gulf Stream "Best Florida Gin Distillery for 2024."

Roughly eight years ago, Gulf Stream Distillery Co. was founded by a team of two, Noah Aguilar and Robert Roschman. Later becoming a crew of four: A chef, an entrepreneur, a hospitality operations expert and a distiller with a shared love for quality spirits and a connection to the coastal communities of Fort Lauderdale.

Noah is light-heartedly referred to as "Head Bootlegger." He's an Executive Chef who began working in restaurants at age 15 as a dishwasher, studied Literature in college, then attended the New England Culinary Institute before transitioning from restaurants around the country to creating culinary delights on chartered yachts (up to 58 meters or 174 feet) around the globe.

Robert, a successful entrepreneur, has multitudes of flourishing businesses from coast to coast, covering industries in hospitality, restaurants and commercial real estate, to name a few. He and his wife, Lorrie, have deep roots in Fort Lauderdale, specifically in the restaurant and boating realms, including the 15th Street Fisheries and Lauderdale Marina.

”But, I made beer in college. So, I thought, 'How hard could it be?" not realizing how hard it really is

Noah AguilarHead Bootlegger

THE ORIGINS AND STORY:
Their paths first crossed when Robert hired Noah for a family event.
The two discovered a shared passion for tequila which evolved into a fun chat about making moonshine. Noah admitted hed never made moonshine, adding, "But, I made beer in college. So, I thought, 'How hard could it be?" not realizing how hard it really is!" As he wrapped up the event, Robert said he'd send him a small still to try his hand at moonshine. Noah thought he was joking and didn't give it a second thought, until a few months later, when Robert had actually left a 5-gallon still, purchased on eBay, in Noah's front yard Up for the experiment, Noah quickly realized the challenges and confessed his first attempts were "just awful." With much trial and error, extensive research and even "moonshine classes" together in Kentucky, the concoction improved enough to produce a blueberry moonshine that passed neighbors' and friends' taste tests. That's when they ventured on to more sophisticated spirits.

Enter Dan Kastner, Chief Distiller, who came into the mix through his work at Craft Beer Cartel (a local supply store, no longer in business) by selling Noah ingredients. He also has nine years of experience in craft beverages, including five at Tarpon River Brewing where he became Head Brewer after his first year there.

And, when he felt stuck on ingredients, he consults Dan, "he resident wizard and mastermind" who has a knack for discerning what is needed to enrich a recipe and move it to the finish line. However, during its infancy, the distillery faced many challenges in finding is path. Last year. Robert finally turned to colleague and friend, Brian Smith, an unparalleled force at running multiple hospitality businesses simultaneously, to join the partnership. As Chief Operating Officer, Brian righted the ship quickly, landing their first account at 15th Street Fisheries Restaurant. He is a champion at placing their products in bars, liquor stores, on yachts and in bores.

The team is cohesive and like a family, which has grown to seven, including Noah's wife, Colleen Aguillar, Event Coordinator and Robert Champion their house Marketing Expert. In October 2023, Amyad Amra, Director of Sales, was brought in to implement his expertise in exceeding sales revenues with wine and spirits distribution.

THE TASTING & TAP ROOM:
A special feature of Gulf Stream Distillery, is its Tasting Room, a joint effort with its sister company, Gulf Stream Brewery, which will be open to the public in about a month. Robert explained further, *Our darker spirits will be mainly available for purchase within the distillery itself and in our tasting room, with our other specialty items like the American Whiskies and our original Agave spirits; very much boutique and collector items for people that are looking for a unique spirit that they won't be able to find anywhere else." The vision is to expand the offering of locally sourced products with the cocktails in the lasting Room and possibly some liqueurs.

Every product tells a story, bringing a taste of the Gulf Stream's heritage and flavor. Whether you enjoy a smooth vodka cocktail while relaxing on a yacht or slowly sipping on an aged bourbon at home, Gulf Stream Distillery Co. offers a unique experience that captures the essence of finely crafted spirits. And, when asked what the future vision is for Gult Stream in ten years, Noah's enthusiastic response was, "Surrounded by Copper!"

For further information, please visit GulfStreamDistillery.com

Gulf Stream is also dedicated to community engagement. sponsoring and supporting community events through non-profirs and charitable organizations including. The Stranahan House, Broward House, The Charity Guild of Fort Lauderdale. Fishing for Cancer, Make a Wish Foundation and The Heart Foundation, Jeff Conine Golf Tournament for Joe DiMaggios Children's Hospital, Linde Smiles, First Tee. The Pride Center, as well as other smaller local non-profit fundraising efforts.