>> ... Next Generation ...
12Chaim
Birthright alum brings kosher
to organic distillery.
JOSH EL'CHONEN JN INTERN
j ourneyman Distillery in Three
Oaks, Mich., is a successful
manufacturer of spirits
that has combined kosher
and organic, thanks to a Michigan
entrepreneur and a Birthright alumnus.
Daniel Milsk, 25, is one of few
Jews living in Three Oaks, who said he
hopes to connect more with the Detroit
Jewish community. He is a manager at
Journeyman or, as owner Bill Welter
calls him, "the 'Swiss Army knife' of
Journeyman."
Originally from Wilmette, Ill., Milsk
attended Webster University in St. Louis
to study theatre; he graduated in 2011.
In the early fall of 2012, Milsk went on
a culinary-themed trip through Taglit-
Birthright Israel.
"We ate our way through the entire
country," Milsk said. "For the middle of
the desert, it's not what you think. The
agriculture really impressed me. I can't
wait to return again."
On the trip, Milsk met a guy from
Chicago who led him to Three Oaks.
"He was a Realtor, and we became
good friends on the trip," Milsk said. His
friend lived in Three Oaks and invited
Milsk to check things out.
TouRN . EY mAN
e) DIstIllery
‘,10-
or
„j n
1 0 it
0
BILBERRY
BLACK HEARTS
DISTILLED AND BOTTLED
AT JOURNEYMAN DISTILLERY
IN THREE OAKS MI
38 November 6 • 2014
"I visited a few times, and
we often went to the bar at
Journeyman Distillery," Milsk
said.
Milsk really liked Journeyman
and landed a job at the bar
in winter 2012. He started
part-time, did promotional
work and later became the
office manager. He enjoyed
developing his social and
networking skills. As Milsk
explained, "Bar tending is a
great stage for that."
As part of his job, Milsk
helped Journeyman get many
of its spirits kosher-certified.
Welter said he believes that
organic and kosher products
taste better and are better for
you.
"The base ingredients for our
spirits are of the very highest
quality and, as a result, we feel
they translate well into our
spirits," he said.
Daniel Milsk of Journeyman Distillery
Milsk was tasked with finding
"We've met our farmers, we know
a kosher certification agency
where
the grains come from, and we
that shared the company's values.
know
that
we make a big difference in
He interviewed several before deciding
their
bottom
line," he said.
on Kosher Organics, based in Florida.
Three
Oaks
is one of eight small
It was fortunate that Journeyman was
communities
that
collectively make
already certified organic because the
up
Harbor
Country.
The population is
guidelines for organic certification work
under
2,000
and
has
survived thanks to
well with kosher guidelines.
committed
businesses.
Most of Journeyman's spirits are
Journeyman is located in a unique
kosher. It offers five varieties of whiskey,
1800s
factory building in a quaint little
a vodka, a rum and gin. It also carries
town
that
supports craftsmen, artists and
several specialty products: barrel-aged
entrepreneurs,
Welter said.
gin, barrel-aged rum, a cask-strength
The
building
housed the former
option and a coffee liqueur.
Featherbone
Factory,
originally built for
Since Milsk joined Journeyman, the
buggy
whip
and
corset
manufacturing
company has grown.
by
Edward
Kirk
Warren,
an industrialist
"He brings a great multitude of talents
and
inventor.
It
was
there
that Warren
that he utilizes every week," Welter
revolutionized
the
corset
industry
said. "Daniel has done more jobs at the
by substituting the commonly used
distillery than just about anyone currently
whalebone
with turkey feather bones.
employed. He's been an extremely
"During
the
initial renovations, only
valuable asset for the growth of our
absolute
necessary
upgrades were
business."
made,"
Milsk
said.
Last month, Journeyman celebrated its
To keep the factory's history alive,
third anniversary.
many
recycled materials were used. Most
Welter says that Michigan has
of
the
walls of the distillery are lined
an abundance of wonderful natural
with
reclaimed
wood, and there still
resources, and he enjoys working with
are
original
factory
floors and ceilings.
small family-owned farms.
"Original exposed pipework is in place as
well, not all functional, but it looks nice."
Many people visit Three Oaks from
New Buffalo Township and Chicago.
"Harbor Country is a popular tourism
spot. People park their boats and make
the area their summer vacation," Milsk
said.
The distillery has hosted wedding
receptions and corporate events. Current
standing capacity is 135 and will double
after the new expansion. A second-floor
renovation will be done within a year
and will offer more event space with an
additional bar.
Currently, Journeyman sells to 187
locations in Michigan; this includes retail
stores, bars and restaurants.
Hills Fine Wine and Spirits, a popular
liquor store in Bloomfield Hills, reports
that their Journeyman stock has a fast
turnover.
"Word-of-mouth is spreading of the
Michigan-made product," said store
owners. "The Featherbone bourbon in
particular sells very well."
Additionally, Journeyman sells in more
than 1,000 locations in eight other
states. ❑