Before there even was a craft spirits movement, there was St. George Spirits, founded in 1982. The company is known for its gin trio, Botanivore, Terroir and Dry Rye and a host of other innovations. When absinthe was legalized in the U.S. in 2007, St. George was the first out of the gate with its interpretation of the mythical and misunderstood spirit. Blink and you’ll miss its Single Malt whiskey, which is released in very limited quantities. St. George is one of the very few—perhaps only—American distillers making the Japanese spirit shochu, which is available exclusively at the Oakland, California restaurant, Ramen Shop. Here’s a look down a canyon of barrels at the distillery.