James July-August 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 38
House of Applejay products
or peach brandy. This isn’t just about
spirits; it’s about rural revitalization,
job creation and Georgia pride.
Georgia’s rebellious past adds
historical weight to the campaign.
In the 1730s, when the British
Crown banned brandy and rum
imports to the Georgia colony,
settlers ignored the edict and built
their own stills. It wasn’t just about
drinking— it was a stand for self-reliance and freedom. That same spirit
lives on today in Georgia’s farmers,
distillers, and entrepreneurs.
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AMBRU’s model is not about
exclusion— it’s about aspiration.
The voluntary designation uplifts
producers who meet the standard
while leaving space for small distilleries to grow. By anchoring this
identity in Georgia’s soil, culture,
and craftsmanship, the state can
build a spirits economy that rivals
any in the world.
And the timing couldn’t be better.
Amid growing interest in traceability
and local production, Georgia can
define a new category of premium
spirits that honors its agricultural
strengths and distilling roots. The
state’s leadership—both public and
private—has a chance to act now by
backing AMBRU, supporting federal
recognition for American brandy and
rum, and spotlighting Georgia as the
home of a new spirits renaissance.
This is more than a marketing
campaign— it’s a movement. It’s a
chance to write a new chapter in
the South’s story: one of innovation
rooted in tradition, where every sip
tells a tale of independence, quality
and place.
Georgia has always led with courage and conviction. Let’s raise our
glass— and our standards— and show
the world what American brandy and
rum can be. The next chapter in U.S.
spirits history starts in Georgia.
Caroline Porsiel is CEO of House of Applejay
Distillery, in East Ellijay and co-founder of the
AMBRU Campaign.
