Does life get any dreamier than vodka made from clouds? Hilton Head Distillery doesn’t seem to think so. This South Carolina based distillery produces Aermoor Vodka, made from a molasses base and distilled a whopping 49 times.
Joe Fenten is the distillery’s founder and told Esquire that “as long as there is humidity in the air, we’re able to generate a proofing water unlike any other spirit company in the world. The water is less acidic, creating a smooth mouthfeel, less stringency and better drinkability.” Aermoor is 80-proof, gluten-free and contains no added sugars or sweeteners. It’s made in small batches to ensure premium quality and even better drinkability.
Instead of waiting for rain, the distillery uses a custom generator that collects water vapor from the humid South Carolina air. Fenten was previously an engineer, so he was able to design the air water generator himself. Aermoor is the first liquor to use an air water generator, but not the first to draw on water vapor.
Supercall points out Fog Point, a limited edition vodka made by Hangar 1 two years ago. Hangar 1 used mesh sheets called “fog catchers” to turn San Francisco’s famous fog into water rather than using a generator. There’s even a Chilean beer that’s made from fog — also using a mesh sheet system.
Since production is so dependent on cloudiness, Fenten said the only downside of “cloud-sourced vodka” is limited quantities. One of its biggest upsides is that Aermoor’s process uses a renewable resource. “We thought it would be fantastic to tap into Mother Nature’s bounty instead of pulling water from the local water supplier, which on the island is a precious resource in limited supply.”
Hilton Head Distillery opened in September 2016, and it’s the island’s first and only distillery. In addition to Aermoor, they make several varieties of rum, including Mountain Peak Espresso Rum and Two Traditions Toasted Coconut Rum. Clearly, these guys know a thing or two about booze.
Try Aermoor in a smooth cocktail, like this Cloud-Sourced Greyhound.
