SEATTLE — A Seattle spirits maker just launched a first-of-its-kind small business.
"It’s the only Black-owned vermouth company in the world, from what we know,” said founder Sean Perryman. “So it's pretty cool to be the first of something."
40 Acres Blending Co. specializes in small batch vermouth, named Moxie Mule. Perryman creates the recipes and does all the production work.
"I've been bartending for the last 13 years,” he said. "When it comes to mixing stuff and creating stuff that tastes good, I feel like that’s where my creative juices really start flowing."
Vermouth is fortified wine, flavored with alcoholic infusions and commonly used as an ingredient in mixed drinks. But Perryman created Moxie Mule to also be a sipping beverage, good over ice or served neat.
The idea came to him years ago during an internship at JM Cellars in Maltby.
“That's where I really fell in love with production and getting into wine,” Perryman said. "It's definitely been a labor of love.”
The winery now hosts Perryman as a maker, giving him space to create tinctures and fortify his own wine.
"It's fun, you get to play a little mad scientist, which is something I like to do,” he said.
His first offering is a bianco-style vermouth, blended with eight different botanicals.
"From orange peel, golden raisin, I've got four different flowers, licorice root, wormwood,” he said. "It's such a fun and creative product to make. It kind of brings your mouth on a journey from this rich, sweet notes and then finishing with a nice acidic finish that keeps you wanting some more."
Perryman is working on new blends and plans to release more flavors in the spring.
"It feels great. I've got a beautiful product, tastes great, the label looks good,” he said. "I'm very happy."
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