INSIGHTS & SPEAKING
Exploring Liqueurs, Distilling History and the Future of American Spirits
Caroline Porsiel writes, researches and speaks at the intersection of distilling history, modern American liqueurs, cocktail culture and the future of independent American spirits.
As founder, CEO, distiller and liqueurist of House of Applejay, Caroline combines historical research with firsthand experience building an independent distillery in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of North Georgia.
RESEARCH & SPEAKING TOPICS
LIQUISTRY & MODERN AMERICAN LIQUEURS
What if a distillery existed first and foremost for liqueurs?
That question became House of Applejay. The philosophy behind it became Liquistry.
Through the Liquistry Manifesto, Caroline Porsiel defined House of Applejay’s original philosophy for modern American liqueurs: using natural ingredients to build cocktail balance into the liqueur itself.
This presentation explores how liqueurs can move from the edge of the cocktail to its foundation—and how thoughtful product development can create simpler, more consistent and more distinctive drinks.
Great cocktails begin in the bottle.
Ideal for: Distilling conferences, cocktail and hospitality organizations, beverage educators, bartenders, culinary programs and spirits-industry events.
THE HISTORY OF LIQUEURS
Liqueurs are among the oldest and most culturally significant products in the history of distilling, yet their story is often overshadowed by whiskey, rum, gin and other major spirits categories.
Caroline traces the development of liqueurs from early medicinal preparations and monastic traditions to court culture, commercial production and the modern cocktail. The presentation examines how ingredients, trade, sugar production, distillation technology and changing drinking customs shaped the evolution of liqueurs.
Ideal for: Museums, historical societies, universities, culinary organizations, beverage educators, distilling conferences and cultural events.
BUILDING THE WORLD’S LONGEST DISTILLERY TRAIL
The proposed American Brandy & Rum Trail could connect more than 500 distilleries and historic sites across all 50 states—creating what could become the longest distillery trail in the world.
Caroline presents the vision for a producer-led national trail connecting active distilleries with historic landmarks, agricultural communities and regional tourism destinations.
The initiative is designed to make American distilling history visible and economically relevant while supporting independent producers, encouraging tourism, strengthening rural economies and creating a shared national identity for American brandy and rum.
Recognition is the foundation. The trail is the result.
Ideal for: Tourism conferences, destination-marketing organizations, distilling associations, chambers of commerce, economic-development groups, agricultural organizations and heritage-tourism programs.
BEFORE BOURBON: THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN BRANDY & RUM
Long before bourbon became America’s signature spirit, brandy and rum were central to the country’s agricultural, economic and distilling history.
Based on primary-source research into American distillation during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Caroline reconstructs the overlooked history of these foundational spirits and explains why American brandy and American rum deserve renewed recognition.
The presentation connects early production, agriculture, trade and regional identity with the challenges and opportunities facing American producers today.
Ideal for: Spirits conferences, historical organizations, universities, museums, tourism organizations, agricultural groups and economic-development programs.
Industry & Speaking
GEORGIA SHOULD CHAMPION AMERICA’S FIRST SPIRITS
James Magazine | July/August 2025
In this published article, Caroline explains why Georgia is positioned to help lead a national resurgence of American brandy and American rum.
The article examines the state’s distilling and agricultural history, the economic potential of spirits tourism and the opportunity to build greater recognition for two of America’s earliest distilled-spirit categories.
DRINKING HISTORY & DISTILLING CULTURE
Caroline’s articles and historical research explore the people, discoveries, traditions and social customs that shaped what—and why—we drink.
Subjects include:
- The history of liqueurs
- Early American distillation
- American brandy and rum
- Drinking customs and cultural traditions
- Historic cocktails and ingredients
- Distilling science and technology
- Spirits, mythology and folklore
- Prohibition and changing alcohol laws
UPCOMING PRESENTATION
AMBRU Campaign: Building America’s Next Great Spirits Movement
American Distilling Institute Rum Summit
August 17, 2026
Miami Beach, Florida
Caroline will present the AMBRU Campaign’s national vision for American brandy and American rum and introduce the proposed American Brandy & Rum Trail.
The presentation will explore industry recognition, production standards, historical identity and the potential to connect distilleries and historic sites throughout the United States.
SELECTED PRESENTATION
Before Bourbon: The History of American Brandy & Rum
American Distilling Institute Webinar
April 14, 2026
Online
This national educational presentation examined the historical importance of American brandy and rum, their role before the rise of bourbon and the case for repositioning both categories through historical evidence.
During the webinar, Caroline also introduced the vision for a nationwide American Brandy & Rum Trail connecting distillers, historic sites, agricultural communities and tourism destinations.
CURRENT RESEARCH
A BROADER HISTORY OF WHY WE DRINK
Caroline is developing a book exploring the global history of drinking culture through the people, beliefs, inventions, rituals and unexpected events that shaped humanity’s relationship with alcohol.
The project brings together stories from ancient civilizations, religion, medicine, agriculture, science, politics, trade and popular culture.
MODERN AMERICAN LIQUEURS
Caroline’s ongoing research examines the historic role of liqueurs, their place within American distilling and their potential to become a more clearly defined and respected part of modern cocktail culture.
The work supports the continued development of Liquistry and House of Applejay’s liqueur-first philosophy.
INVITE CAROLINE TO SPEAK
Caroline is available for conference presentations, webinars, educational programs, panel discussions and selected media appearances.
Her presentations can be adapted for spirits professionals, tourism organizations, universities, historical groups, policymakers, hospitality audiences and the general public.