Exclusive Interview with John & Deborah Patt, Owners of Desert Diamond Distillery

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Q: What are your full names, titles, company name and company location? 

John & Deborah Patt, owners of Desert Diamond Distillery.  John is President.  Deborah is “The Distiller’s Wife”.  John says that just means I get to pretend I can tell him what to do. :) We are located in Kingman, AZ just four miles off the I-40 on historic highway 66.  Our address is 4875 N Olympic Drive, but beware of GPS systems.  There seems to be some confusion...

Q: What inspired you to get into the spirits industry and why rum?

John always says “Insanity.  There is a fine line between insanity and passion.  Passion being the reason but sometimes crossing over.”  Deborah says “Our inspiration came after doing workshops out west and realizing that rum was really missing in action (as far as produced) out West.  After doing workshops in AZ & CA in 2005 through 2008, we saw that rum was being left out, and we wanted locally made rum ourselves, so we decided to go ahead and specialize in rum out here in the Arizona west.  Our original goal was to be known as “The Best Rum in the SouthWest”.  Little did we know, we would be actually be known as “The Best Rum wrapped in a Whiskey wrapper”.  Or was that “The Best Whiskey taste wrapped in a rum wrapper”?  It’s still a toss up.

Q: You are the oldest craft distillery in Arizona.  What was the process like, working with your local government, to get your permit approved for the distillery?  How long did it take?

The process is much the same everywhere, and we refer everyone to ttb.gov where anyone can find the first steps to becoming a distiller.  It took about a year to get our federal license (called a DSP or Distilled Spirit Permit).  Then it took another four months for our AZ state license, once we applied.  Since we applied around January 1st 2010, the state took all 120 days to approve us, and we were able to open April 1st, 2010.  We still laugh about the date and it is very appropriate for our lives together!  We were actually the second legal craft distillery in the state, and the first one went out of business about 2012.  So we never say we were the first, since we inherited being the oldest around 2012. 

Q: What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

Our biggest challenge in hindsight (and there were many, and at least one major challenge per year) was most likely the state legislation changing over time.  It has eventually become craft distillery friendly, however, that wasn’t always the case.  John has by default had to become active in our efforts to keep and improve our craft legislation and to continue to try to move this growing industry forward.  John and Deborah Patt, along with other distillers, are founding members of the Arizona Distillers Guild.  Our sole purpose in that regard is to keep an eye on the legislation and try to keep it as small business and craft friendly as possible.  Besides that, there is the constant threat of ebbs in business, which comes back to the bells and whistles that the craft friendly legislation gives us, which is our online sales and other perks (like festivals).  Not all states are as “craft-friendly”, but I do believe that other states are moving in that direction, some more quickly than others.  I would be remiss in stating that the challenge in 2020 has mainly been the response to the Covid epidemic and how that has impacted businesses nationwide, not just ours.  

Q: What rum(s) are you currently producing?  

  • Gold Miner White Rum in 750ml and 50ml - This signature AZ white rum is where it all starts, and since we ferment and distill it 100% from scratch, we believe it is one of the smoothest white rums on the market & is a sipping rum in it’s own right. “A subtle shot of vanilla, a suggestion of cream, a little floral character and an underlying stratum of faint caramels give this rum a character that is absent from about 99% of unaged spirits..92 points”* 
  • Gold Miner Dark Rum in 750ml, 375ml and 50ml.  -  The favorite of our scotch drinkers yet also the favorite of our red wine drinkers and rum drinkers as well; this rum shows that it has wide palate appeal.  This dark rum is full of end-notes that last for minutes, giving it our highest ranking wins in the International contests.  “has a depth and richness and viscosity and complexity that gives it the gravitas of a luxury-tier whiskey, making it problematic to even consider using it as a mere mixer...98 points”* 
  • Gold Miner Barrel Aged Rum in two different age groups in 750ml. 
  • Gold Miner Barrel Reserve Black - Showcased in a black waxed bottle, this ranges between 2 and up to under 5 years. “The fat cushion of dark caramels and vanilla and molasses and mint and cashew butter floats the barrel presence beautifully and delivers a massive intensity that never once edges over into simple burn or wince-inducing overload.  This is an elegant beverage, by any standard.. 98 points”  
  • Gold Miner Barrel Reserve Gold – Showcased in a gold waxed bottle, this rum has won three years in a row at the IWSC (International World Spirit Competition) in London.  Barrel Reserve Gold is in an elite group of just ten U.S. rums that medalled this year (2020).  The flavor builds through the aging process, and can taste even sweeter to some, and has been a favorite of even white wine drinkers, but also scotch drinkers favor it.
  • COMING SOON: Gold Miner Barrel Reserve Platinum – Showcased in a platinum waxed bottle, this rum is a 10 year Rum in January of 2021. The tasting notes on this ten year rum are so smooth and rich with hints of cinnamon and butterscotch that it drinks like a forty year from other rum areas.  (We are proud to produce all these internationally awarded rums with no added sugar, no added flavors and no added colors.)
  • Gold Miner Agave Rum in 750ml, 375ml, and 50ml - Lastly, we produce an Agave rum, our only flavored rum, yet all organic. This rum is a customer favorite.  “The agave infusion just gilds the considerable lily of velvety dark rum with a peppery vegetal edge that elevates the whole and does it without seams and ragged edges. 96 points”.
  • Gold Miner Four-Pack Taster Set in 50ml X 4. This comes with a logo’d shot glass and tasting notes, allowing those in AZ and NV to taste these rums in the comfort of their own homes.  It should be enough to have four friends taste with you….or not... 

The preceding product descriptions are quotes from the article: Desert Diamond Distillery: Killer rum that thinks it’s a whiskey, by The Pour Fool, Dec 8 2017. 

Link: https://thepourfool.com/2017/12/08/desert-diamond-distillery-killer-rum-that-thinks-its-whiskey/

Q: What type of still do you use to distill your spirits?

We employ an Arnold Holstein still from Germany.  We were one of the first semi-automated plants in the United States, and we were a “pilot-plant” for the manufacturer of the system we use, which is a semi-automatic operation.  We hosted at least three or four “distillery trainings” per year at our facility for an average of 20-40 new distillers nationwide.  A big “HELLO” to all those distilleries who made it!  I know you are out there, because some of our customers have you in their backyard!

Q: Where do you get your molasses and how many days is your normal fermentation?

Our molasses is from Louisiana, and so is sourced here in the United States.  Our fermentations for rum run about 5-7 days.

Q: You recently launched your ten year old barrel aged rum.  Congratulations!  Can you tell us more about this rum?  What type of barrels did you use for aging (oak type, heat treatment, size, etc.)?  

Thank you.  We have worked hard to reach this elite level of having a “ten-year” anything.  This ten year barrel reserve rum has been aging in the barrel and will be ten full years when we have our special “Roll out the Barrel” dinner in January.  We celebrate with our friends of the distillery who are on our private email lists.  Anyone can sign up for these lists on our website at the bottom of the first main page.  Our historic train car is our dinner venue and our chef prepares a four-course dinner with our spirits used throughout for these special celebration dinners.  

When we started in 2010, I think there were only about 200 craft distilleries in business.  I don’t know exactly how many have left the field, but now there are over 2,000.  So that leaves very few of us who can truly have a ten year that is all “in-house”, from the fermentation to the distillation, to the aging.  This ten year rum is so smooth I can’t even describe it.  The new barrels we are using are white oak and french oak hybrid barrels.  We don’t use a heat treatment, as mother nature does all the work for us here in our area of the country.  Our barrels are 55 gallon (225L) barrels, and they take at least 2 years to age our black wax barrel reserve rums.  We release that group between 2 and 4 plus years old.  The “gold wax” barrel reserves are brought out from the barrel room between 5 and up to 9 years in the barrel.  So far, our favorite gold wax barrel reserves have been the 5.5 year to the 6 years barrel reserves.  

Q: Do you plan to add new rums to your portfolio in the future?  

Our portfolio is pretty full according to John.  He always references “Tito’s Vodka” as an example of the perfect distillery.  He has one product and it’s nationwide.  Well, apparently, we can’t all be that perfect!  We have a variety of rums and they all hit different palette’s, surprisingly, many of those are whiskey drinkers!  So I would guess that John doesn’t want to add any new rums except for those “special” barrel reserves that are aging.  Each barrel is like a new vintage of a wine.  Different, yet similar to last years release. It all depends on the terroir of the barrel room, and what mother nature is doing with those barrels! 

Q: Where are your products currently available for purchase?  

Mainly, we are in Arizona, California and NV.  We can ship direct to those in AZ and NV.  California has our product (the Agave rum only) in their Total Wine & More stores, as well as available through www.liquorama.net which has Agave rum and can ship to about half the United States.  Since the Agave rum is the customer favorite, we think that it’s wonderful that liquorama.net carry that one first.  Not only can we ship inside Arizona, but our products are also available in some Total Wine stores and small liquor stores around the state of AZ as well, under our brand “Gold Miner Spirits”.  Many people ask for our product under the wrong name (our distillery name), but if you want to find it, ask under “Gold Miner Spirits”.  That’s the brand name.

Q: Last year you launched “The Lost Rail Car Kitchen,” with chef-inspired meal menus.  Can you tell us more about this?  Do you plan to continue doing this program?  If so, when is your next one scheduled?  

Absolutely!  Our Lost Rail Car Kitchen is actually open for lunch each day we are open – and the hours are 11 am until 4 pm.  During lunch, we have a small selection of delicious panini style sandwiches that are presented on a board with a side and a pickle and are very popular.  Our appetizer trays are also great.  Our chef has some ideas about doing a program for dinners called “Around the United States” with food from around the country and different each month, with a different “stop” of the train.  For example, in February, we might stop in New Orleans for a crab bake!?  All ABOOOOOOARD!  Each dinner invitation is sent out through our private newsletter list (sign up on our website) and paid reservations are taken, first come first serve.

You spoke of challenges earlier….this one project was a huge challenge.  We bought a train, and then had to move it.  First challenge, check!  Once we had it here, we had the next challenge.  Paint it, and clean it and make it habitable.  We realized how big a train car is when we were painting the outside, one section at a time….and realizing that we had the whole inside to go.  So this project turned into a three year challenging project that we are thoroughly proud to show off!  We hope people come by and see this historic car!  This is a 100 plus year old train, built in 1917!  Her number is AT&SF #30.  She is listed in all the history books on trains.  There were ten in her elite group of heavyweights, and she is in original condition, except for the modernization we had to do to bring her up to code!  We hope to have a virtual tour of the train car up and live on our website soon!

Q: Do you offer tours of your distillery? If so, are reservations recommended or required? 

We do offer tours.  We not only do tours for companies who schedule with us (like tour buses), but we also take walk-in traffic on tours when we can.  Most of the time there is little wait time, and the longest is 30 minutes or so, when John or Deborah are in the middle of another project or tasting or tour!  Reservations can be made by just leaving us information on the website, or requesting a tour at a specific time for a larger group.  We will send bus tour managers special instructions if they request the information from our website.

Q: If yes to the above, can you tell us a bit about what a customer will experience when they arrive at your distillery? 

When people first come out to our facility, they are surprised to notice that we are in the heart of the Kingman Industrial facility and airport.  It is not the normal “ambiance” one might expect, and our red building outside doesn’t lead anyone to expect the warm welcome of the interior.  Our famous bar is right inside, and was the original bar to the original Andre’s restaurant on Freemont Street on the old Las Vegas strip.  Groups of people have actually recognized the bar from decades ago!  We acquired this historic bar in 1999 when Andre’s went out of business.  This famous restaurant was a hangout of the “Rat Pack” and we know that the rat pack hung out at this bar!

Q: If people want to contact you, how may they reach you? 

The main number is 928 757 7611 or email us through the website.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?  

We are certainly more than just a rum distillery, as now we have become a destination, an attraction off of highway 66 on the longest stretch still existing between Seligman and Kingman Arizona.  

We don’t just make rum, we experience rum, and so should you!  We invite you to come experience a tasting climate that is relaxing, delicious & also includes our 7 year aged Whiskey, our sugar cane based Vodka, and our Moonshine Corn Whiskey.  We serve food in the historic train car & hope your readers will put us on their bucket list!  We are family friendly, and pet friendly.  

We are big fans of local business and local goods and services.  We sometimes feel that we are the only ones struggling to make a small business work.  Then we go to support other small businesses, and they are working just as hard.  We want to encourage everyone who is reading this article to ask yourself, have you done everything you can to support the small businesses in your town, city or county?  This year has been extremely challenging.  The more money we spend local, the more money stays local.  John & I want to wish everyone reading this a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Thank you Margaret, for this wonderful opportunity to tell our story and share our passion!

Margaret: John and Deborah, thank you so much for this interview, I wish you and your entire team well-deserved success.

Cheers!

Margaret Ayala,

Publisher