I have been touched by spirits my whole life. I grew up in Glasgow where the air was filled with the sounds of steam whistles and factories and the distinct aroma of whisky distilled. Spirit is everywhere in Scotland, in the soil, the water, the air. Whisky is not just something you drink, it is an expression of where we come from. When I became of age to discover the glorious complexity of our national drink, it was the start of a life’s passion.

The manufacture of alcohol is a reverent craft. It is part art, part science and part origin. Where you come from matters. When we distill spirits, we evoke the past by capturing something ethereal and bringing it back to life. It is not termed spirit by mere accident.

Like many Scotsmen, I discovered America as a pioneer discovering the West. Big country, big ideas. It’s a Scottish curse. We love invention. My journey ended in New Orleans, the original heart and mouth of the American continent. From and through here, for 300 years, New Orleans has been the conduit of so much creation, in food, in culture, in music, in history. It is also the original American gateway to the rest of the world.

It is no wonder then that a Scotsman should put down his spiritual roots in this unique, proud and inspirational place. New Orleans loves invention, too.

It is that spirit that founded Porchjam. We are not just a city of celebration, we are a city of production. Porchjam is our gift to New Orleans, a distillery making spirit that will stand the test of time, in the city that defines endurance, and with a burning passion for quality that the city deserves.

Porchjam is a journey, from New Orleans to the rest of the world, inspired by the spirits we make. It is my humble honor to invite you on that journey with us.