RIFINO VALENTINE

PRESIDENT & FOUNDER

VALENTINE DISTILLING

FERNDALE, MI

Valentine Distilling supplies rye vodka to American Liquor Co. In 2007, Valentine broke ground, becoming one of the nation’s first craft distilleries. Since then, they’ve gained international recognition for their best-in-class spirits. For Rifino, President and Founder of Valentine Distilling, “everything circles back to quality.” The Midwest “made the best stuff in the world.” Today, Valentine Distilling is proving that American ingenuity and quality manufacturing are still a hallmark of the Midwest.

Rifino says the 4-grain blend from American Liquor Co is more complicated and time intensive to produce than using a single grain. But as a regional distiller, it’s something Valentine had the capability to do and wanted to be involved with. “Each grain lends a different taste profile and what you get is a more complex, nuanced product than what consumers can get off the shelf” says Rifino. He considers it an honor to work with Chris Montana and the other leaders in this industry to produce a quality product rooted in the Midwest. And the feeling is mutual.

Valentine’s Blend for Success:

•       Sourcing as locally as possible

•       Putting out a quality product that will compete with anything out there