Page 44 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2023

DINING
Get Hooked on Mississippi's First Rum Distillery
story by Lynn Lofton photo courtesy of Circle Hook Distilling
ississippi has its first rum distillery, Circle Hook Distilling, right here on the Coast. Owners Eli and Amy Underhill were inspired by
the salt marshes and white sand of the area to create a rich product. The name comes
from Eli's long association with fishing
in Alaska. A circle hook is used for
long lining halibut and black cod as well as in sport fishing.
“So the name is an homage to many years spent in pursuit of fish,” Amy Underhill says. “The distillery is Eli's passion project. He has always loved cooking
and fine wines and spirits. He drew inspiration from the winery of a family friend he visited during his California childhood. In the late 2010s all of these snowballed into a nearly obsessive study of fermentation techniques, yeast varieties, the distillation process, and all things related to developing liquors with a robust flavor palette. Next thing I
knew, I was working a bottling line!”
After 20-plus years running a commercial fishing business in Sitka, Alaska, the Underhills sold their halibut and black cod fishing rights and invested in the distillery.
“Our prior experience in the liquor industry had been strictly as consumers,” says Underhill.
“Eli worked as a captain on supply boats in the oil industry and has his 2600-ton masters license. My background is in clinical research.”
The distillery's Circle Original Rum was first available in March 2022. They have entered
several tasting competitions, earning gold medals at the Denver International
Spirits Competition, The SIP Awards, and the Micro liquor Spirit
Awards.
She says Circle Hook has had
positive feedback from liquor store owners. “They say that anyone who tries us, buys us, even those who profess to not liking rum.”
The distillery's second release, Circle Hook Silver, shipped recently. A third release, Circle Hook Agricola, made with juice
from 100 percent Mississippi heirloom sugar cane, will be released soon.
“With these products, we are seeking to honor Mississippi and the Gulf Coast region,” Underhilll said. “The Silver and Agricola bottles
feature beloved wildlife created by local artists Elizabeth Huffmaster and Cissy McCabe Quinn.”
Circle Hook Original Rum is available in liquor stores throughout Mississippi and Alabama.
44 | October 2023
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