Old Dominick Distillery & the Memphis Toddy

Not far from Beale Strait resides the first post-prohibition distillery in Memphis: Old Dominick Distillery. The distillery is the culmination of a very successful business started by Italian immigrant Domenico Canale. He arrived in Memphis in 1859 and started by running a fruit cart along the streets of Memphis. In 1866, "Canale formally establishes food wholesaler D. Canale & Co., and sets up operations in a warehouse at 8 Madison St. near Front. Among its offering is a whiskey, sold in ceramic jars and bottles, that Canale named Old Dominick". In 1880, "Canale developed the Dominick Toddy, a bourbon-based cordial with fruity overtones that must have spoken to the former fruit stand operator. It was described as the 'one of which we are the proudest' and its label featured the now iconic Dominicker Rooster." Throughout the 1900s, the business expanded under the leadership of Canale's children and grandchildren. In 1999, after 125 years of continuous operation, D. Canale Food Services is sold. 

In 2013, "following the surprise discovery of an unopened bottle of Old Dominick Toddy from the late 1800s, Chris and Alex Canale decide to reinstate the storied spirit brand started by their great-great-grandfather, Domenico.  They hire Master Distiller Alex Castle and in 2017 the distillery produces its first whiskey -- not far from the location of the original D. Canale & Co. warehouse. 

The distillery provides guided and self-guided tours through several artifacts with the guided tours leading through the barrel room and distillery. We took the self-guided tour and then walked up to the tasting bar where we enjoyed a flight plus a couple new twists to classic cocktails. Overall, the spirits are solid, and with multiple bars and a rooftop seating area - a frequent destination if we lived in Memphis. 

Honeybell Citrus Vodka (80 proof)
The Honeybell Orange is a hybrid of sweet tangerine and bitter grapefruit and Master Distiller Alex Castle feels this is one of her most "inventive and unique" spirits. This is a very smooth vodka, where both aspects of the fruit are truly noticeable.  

Formula No. 10 Gin (95 proof)
An interesting gin that starts with juniper and finishes with licorice. Complex flavors from the eight botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica root, licorice root, grapefruit peel, chamomile, orris root, and ginger root. 

Huling Station Straight Bourbon (100 proof)
Huling Station was the closest railway station to the D. Canale & Co. warehouse where, in 1866, Domenico Canale’s spirits were shipped throughout the United States.  This is made from a high rye recipe and bottled at 100 proof -- "reminiscent of the spirits offered by Domenico Canale".  There's definitely a bite to this bourbon with spicy notes mixed with the corn and caramel.  

Huling Station Straight Wheat Whiskey (90 proof)
This whiskey is comprised of  83 percent wheat, producing a lighter, more delicate profile.  A very pleasant sipper with stronger grassy characters.  

Memphis Toddy (60 proof)
This is the reverse-engineered spirit that led to the founding of the distillery. Its base is a high-rye bourbon which is then augmented with proprietary and a "carefully-curated array of natural ingredients".  It has an interesting profile, starts with the rye bite but then finishes with a sweet, baking spice finish.