Merridale Cidery & Distillery
Merridale Ciderworks produces their Brandies by carefully fermenting the fruit first. They still is a hand-crafted Mueller still from Germany. Its hand-hammered copper head has been designed to preserve as much of the aroma and flavours of the fruit as possible. The master distillers at Mueller take months to design each individual still, to ensure the quality.
Eau de Vie or water of life is distilled from fruits, and is named after the fruit used. To make brandy or Calvados the master distiller of Merridale Ciderworks ages the Eau de Vie for years in selected oak barrels. The process of aging in oak slowly adds a distinct flavour and characteristic to the brandy.
Author: Caroline Porsiel
Caroline Porsiel is a master distiller and liqueurist based in East Ellijay, Georgia. She founded House of Applejay, a fine spirits and liqueur distillery, in 2022 with her mother, Sabine, crafting award-winning products like Applejay from Ellijay, Mt. Frozen Knob Vodka, and Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. The distillery won a 2024 Best of Georgia Award and a 2025 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. As a founding member of the AMBRU Campaign, launched in 2020, Porsiel advocates for the global recognition of American Brandy and Rum. She continues to drive innovation in the craft spirits industry from her active distillery in the heart of Georgia’s apple country.
