Edelbrennerei Destilleum Michael Mayer
At the age of 16, I started my dream of having my own distillery. Neither I nor my family had ever dealt with distillation processes for making schnapps before. Rather, it was the passion, the love of nature and the indispensable will to acquire knowledge and perfection in order to produce fine spirits of the highest quality.
About success and awards.
I have now managed to be one of the selected distilleries at the largest international fine spirits awards, the Destillata, the twelve winning companies (out of over 160 participating companies). It confirms to me that I am on the right path in terms of quality. But it also means consistently carrying out all steps perfectly down to the last detail. Working in and with nature. Concentrating aromas and scents in the finest spirit.
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.
