Posts by Amanda Koehler
Companion Planting for Grains: Can Diverse Plants Improve Whiskey?
When most people think about whiskey, they think about barrels, aging, and perhaps the grains that go into the mash bill. But long before a whiskey reaches the still, its story begins in the field. Increasingly, farmers are exploring whether growing grains alongside other plants—a practice known as companion planting—can improve soil health, crop resilience,…
Read MoreThe History of the Brown Derby: Hollywood’s Forgotten Whiskey Cocktail
Some cocktails become household names. The Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Whiskey Sour have enjoyed decades of popularity, appearing on cocktail menus around the world. Others, despite rich histories and excellent flavor, quietly fade into obscurity. The Brown Derby falls into the latter category. Named after one of Hollywood’s most famous restaurants, this simple yet sophisticated…
Read MoreSustainable Distilling: Water, Energy & Waste Innovations
When people think about sustainability in spirits production, they often focus on the ingredients—organic grains, local sourcing, or regenerative farming practices. While those elements are important, sustainability doesn’t stop when the grain reaches the distillery. In fact, some of the most exciting environmental innovations are happening inside the distillery itself. From reducing water consumption to…
Read MoreThe Aviation: Early 1900s Glamour in a Glass
Few cocktails capture the romance and elegance of the early 20th century quite like the Aviation. With its pale lavender hue, delicate floral notes, and unmistakably vintage name, the Aviation feels like a drink pulled straight from the golden age of grand hotels, jazz lounges, and the dawn of air travel. Long before modern craft…
Read MoreRye Roots That Run Deep: How Certain Crops Build Better Soil
Healthy soil doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built season after season through the crops we plant, the roots we leave behind, and the natural systems we support. While most people focus on what a crop produces above ground, some of the most important work is happening below the surface. Rye is one of those crops.…
Read MoreSummer Spirits: How Botanicals Shine in Warm Weather
As temperatures rise, drink preferences tend to shift with the season. Heavy, warming winter flavors often give way to lighter, brighter profiles centered on citrus, herbs, florals, and fresh garden ingredients. Behind many of those refreshing summer cocktails is one key element: botanicals. From gin infused with juniper and citrus peel to spirits layered with…
Read MoreGrain Varieties & Flavor: Rye vs Wheat vs Corn
There’s a story to each spirit—but before the barrel, before the still, before fermentation even begins, that story starts with grain. To many people, whiskey flavor is shaped by aging, char levels, proof, or finishing barrels. And while all of those factors matter, the foundation of flavor is much simpler: The grain. At Eight Oaks…
Read MoreThe Margarita: Myth, Marketing, & True Origins
Few cocktails are as instantly recognizable as the Margarita. Salt on the rim. Lime on the nose. Bright citrus. A balance of sweet, sour, and spirit that somehow feels equally at home on a beach, at a backyard cookout, or in one of the world’s best cocktail bars. Today, the Margarita is one of the…
Read MoreGrain with a Past: How Heirloom Varieties Strengthen Biodiversity
Modern agriculture has done something remarkable: it has learned how to produce more food—and more raw materials—than ever before. But in the pursuit of consistency, yield, and efficiency, something valuable has often been left behind: diversity. Walk through a typical commodity grain field today, and you may see thousands of acres planted with a single…
Read MoreRegenerative Farming & Carbon: Can a Distillery Become Carbon Negative?
What if the spirits in your glass didn’t just taste good—but actually did good? As conversations around climate change and sustainability evolve, so does the role of agriculture and production. For distilleries rooted in the land, like Eight Oaks, the question isn’t just how to reduce impact—it’s whether it’s possible to go a step further.…
Read More