Justin Lee (MS ChemBio '03) has making spirits down to a science - literally. He and business partner Seth Johnson (MS Phys '06), both CU alumni, are the brains behind J&L Distilling, a small-batch distillery in Boulder that celebrates the intersection of art and science in the craft of distillation. These two aficionados use their engineering and science backgrounds to design and build custom equipment used to make premium vodka, gin and infused liquors.
"Transitioning this from my hobby to a real business is a wonderful thing," says Lee.
Lee's engineering background shines through as he explains the science of fermentation, reducing congeners like acetone and formaldehyde and monitoring heat exchange in the vessels in pursuit of the finest spirits. Lee met Johnson through a home brewing club in Boulder, eventually turning a hobby "that got out of control" into an award-winning business known for its spirits Sno and Fyr.
"We actually created Fyr in grad school, so those who came to our Christmas parties tried it before we were in business," he says.
The distillery is expanding to bourbon, rum and absinthe. J&L opened their tasting room in 2013, where Lee says CU graduate students who bring in their first published work will receive a complimentary cocktail.