Spirit Benders™ vs. Master Distillers: What Sets Windows Distillery Apart

In the world of craft spirits, the title “Master Distiller” is one of the highest honors—a recognition of deep expertise in fermentation, distillation, and spirit-making. At Windows Distillery, we hold that tradition in the highest regard. But what happens after the distillation process? That’s where our story begins.

At Windows, we call ourselves Spirit Benders™, a name that reflects a different kind of artistry: the meticulous, creative process of blending and finishing each spirit to reveal its full potential.

Distilling as a Foundation

We owe everything to the distillation process. It’s the heart of every bottle of whiskey, vodka, gin, and botanical spirit we produce. The precision, science, and intuition of a skilled distiller bring the raw ingredients to life, capturing character and complexity in every drop. Without that level of craft and control, there would be nothing to refine—no canvas to paint on.

Our Spirit Benders™ take a distiller’s work as a starting point and ask, what more can this spirit become?

What Makes a Spirit Bender™

A Spirit Bender™ builds on the excellence of a Master Distiller. While blending is a key part of the process, finishing is where our creativity shines. At Windows, finishing is about unlocking layers, experimenting with character, and pushing flavor in unexpected directions.

We finish spirits in unique used barrels, infuse complexity with custom proofing waters, and explore the power of smoke to enhance flavor and aroma. Every bottle is the result of careful listening—to the spirit, the wood, the water, the moment.

As Windows founder Chris Mayer puts it:

“If a spirit needs just a little something to elevate the taste profile, we spend our days figuring out just how to naturally and creatively bring the profile to life. It’s what drives us to make each barrel, each blend, each bottle something special that we’re honored and excited to share with friends.”

Our hands-on, creative approach leads to extraordinary results. Whether it’s a bold, smoky whiskey, a delicate, citrus-forward gin, or a vodka with a whisper of sweetness, every bottle from Windows carries the mark of something thoughtfully and intentionally crafted.

The Art of Bending

Blending is part of the craft, but finishing is the moment we bring the spirit to life. We experiment with unique used barrels, design custom proofing waters, and even incorporate smoke to draw out unexpected flavors. We refine, enhance, and reveal the depth and dimension of each blend.

The result? Whiskey that tells a deeper story, vodka with uncommon character, gin that surprises with each sip. These aren’t just spirits—they’re experiences.

Tradition Reimagined

If you appreciate the timeless craft of distilling and seek spirits that go beyond the expected, it’s time to experience Windows Distillery. More than blending, it’s the art of finishing, the spirit of exploration, and the joy of sharing something truly exceptional.

Taste what happens when tradition meets transformation.

Discover the difference at Windows Distillery.

The Founding of Windows Distillery: A New Chapter in American Craft

In the heart of America’s evolving craft industry, one entrepreneur has taken the bold leap from cultivating the perfect grow environment to crafting the perfect pour. Windows Distillery, founded by Chris Mayer, is more than just a new name in American whiskey — it’s the next chapter in a story of passion, ingenuity, and homegrown grit.

Chris Mayer is no stranger to building something from the ground up. In 2016, he co-founded a commercial equipment supply company that quickly became a key player in the indoor growing industry. Over six years, that company transformed from a niche startup into a leading supplier for growers across North America, known for its high-quality grow racks, LED lighting systems, and cutting-edge solutions tailored to serious cultivators. What truly set the company apart, however, was its unwavering commitment to American manufacturing.

“The only thing you’ll ever hear me brag about,” Chris says, “is that we did it all right here in the USA. No imports. Just American workers and American ingenuity.”

When the pandemic hit and the world slowed down, Chris finally had time to reflect — and to dream. One idea kept resurfacing: building a craft distillery, with whiskey at the center. It wasn’t just a new business idea — it was a calling.

“There are a lot of similarities between growing and distilling,” Chris explains. “Both industries thrive on innovation, craftsmanship, and a real connection to the people you’re serving. What helped us succeed before — listening to our customers, solving real problems, and never compromising on quality — that’s exactly what we’re doing again with Windows Distillery.”

The name Windows Distillery itself suggests transparency, vision, and a clear view toward the future. It’s a space where the traditional craft of whiskey making meets the spirit of modern entrepreneurship. Though still in its early days, the distillery is already gaining attention for its meticulous approach to sourcing, production, and design — a reflection of Chris’s deep respect for the American craft movement.

Windows Distillery isn’t just about making good whiskey. It’s about doing things the right way. American-made. Thoughtfully crafted. Rooted in passion and purpose. For Chris Mayer, it’s more than a business — it’s the next evolution of a lifelong pursuit of excellence. And for whiskey lovers, it’s a name to watch.

The Choice of Barrel: Why Casks Matter at Windows Distillery

At Windows Distillery, we often say that the barrel is more than a vessel—it’s a collaborator. While many see casks as just containers for aging, we know better. It is the key step in any barrel-aging process that brings out the best flavors in any excellent drink.

When it comes to aging hard liquor, the cask is the final factor. At Windows, we choose ours with the same care and passion that goes into every other part of our process.

What Casks Really Do

Every drop that enters a cask begins with the potential to be great. But it’s in the wood—over months or years—that the spirit gains depth, complexity, and identity.

Here’s how casks influence a spirit:

• Flavor Infusion: The wood imparts vanillin, tannins, spice, caramel, and toasty character.
• Oxidation: The slow exchange of oxygen through the wood mellows and softens the spirit.
• Color Development: The deep amber hues? That’s not from the distillate—it’s from the barrel.
• Evaporation: As water and alcohol evaporate, the remaining spirit becomes more concentrated and refined.

At Windows Distillery, we don’t settle for standard.

The Windows Approach: Curating the Cask

We source and season our barrels with purpose. Whether it’s new American oak, French oak, or exotic secondary-use barrels like sherry, rum, or maple syrup casks, each one is selected to bring something unique to the table.

Some casks impart a bold flavor to their respective brew, a prominent vanilla or a charred sweetness. Others add a soft depth of flavor, like a wisp of fruit or spice. Our job as Spirit Benders™ is to understand what flavor the barrel has infused, and enhance it.

Take our Four Barrel Bourbon, for example: it spends time in four distinct types of wood, each lending a layer of complexity to the flavor. The result? A whiskey that doesn’t just taste rich—it tells a story in chapters.

Char, Toast & Time: Inside the Barrel

Beyond wood type, the char level and toast profile matter deeply. A heavy char pulls out smoky caramel and mocha notes; a light toast preserves fresh, resinous wood tones. At Windows, we work closely with cooperages to dial in these details.

And then we wait.

The barrel-aging process isn’t just about leaving the spirit alone—it’s about knowing when it’s ready. Too soon, and it’s raw. Too long, and the wood overwhelms. The sweet spot? That’s where intuition and experience take over.

Finishing Touches: Bending the Spirit

Our Spirit Bending™ process often includes a finishing phase, where a spirit is transferred to a second—or even third—barrel. These finishing casks add polish, depth, and dimension. Think of it like music: the first barrel lays down the melody; the finishing cask brings the harmony.

From whiskey to botanical gin, we apply this philosophy across our lineup. Because the finish isn’t just the end—it’s the part you remember.

The Cask as Collaborator

At Windows Distillery, we don’t mass-age. We curate character. We collaborate with oak. And we treat every barrel like it has a voice worth hearing.

Because great spirits aren’t just aged—they’re shaped. And when the cask is chosen with intention and guided by time, the result is more than a drink—it’s an experience.

The Art of Spirit Bending™

At Windows Distillery, we don’t just make spirits—we sculpt them. Rooted in craft and driven by curiosity, our process goes beyond traditional distillation. We call it Spirit Bending™: a philosophy that views finishing and blending not as the end of the journey, but as the soul of the story.

Every Spirit Bender™ here approaches their work with intention—seeing each barrel as a living, evolving creation.

Where Character is Crafted

To us, Spirit Bending™ isn’t just a technique—it’s an art. It starts with the maker and their vision, not the still. Our Spirit Benders™ treat every batch like a new challenge, knowing each brew has its own unique character. Every decision they make shapes the texture and flavor of the final spirit.

Each bottle carries the texture of its grains or fruit, whether it’s the creamy mouthfeel of a well-aged whiskey or the crisp brightness of a young gin. It holds the depth of carefully balanced flavors—the subtle sweetness, the hints of spice or smoke, the warmth or freshness that define its character.

The Influence of the Vessel: A Dialogue with the Barrel

No two barrels are alike, and that’s exactly the point. At Windows, we seek out barrels that enhance the flavor of each brew we create–speaking to each bottle’s character—American oak with its warmth and vanilla, European oak with spice and grip, and even experimental woods that add mystery and edge.

Each expression, like our signature Four Barrel Whiskey, is a result of months or years of barrel exploration. It’s about letting the wood guide the spirit, rather than contain it.

Time + Water = Alchemy

Our approach to proofing is patient, purposeful, and precise. Instead of cutting spirits quickly with water post-aging, we introduce proofing water slowly and directly into the finishing barrels. This gradual integration over weeks—or sometimes months—allows the flavors to marry with grace, preserving the complexity and enhancing mouthfeel.

It’s not just proofing—it’s infusing clarity into complexity, a hallmark of the Spirit Bender™ mindset.

More Than Whiskey

Spirit Bending™ doesn’t stop at whiskey. Our Windows Twist Gin is a testament to how this philosophy expands across categories. Nine botanicals are individually macerated, then harmonized in used wine casks, resulting in a spirit that unfolds in waves—floral, spicy, earthy, and bright.

Whether it’s whiskey settling in a charred maple cask or vodka rested in syrah-soaked oak, our finishing process always seeks one thing: resonance—the signature of a true Spirit Bender™.

The Windows Way: No Shortcuts, Just Soul

We aren’t interested in fast or flashy. Every barrel we select, every blend we balance, and every finish we finesse is born of intention. There’s no algorithm for flavor—only intuition, trial, and obsession.

Our spirits don’t chase trends—they tell stories. They whisper of forests and fire, of time and patience, of makers who listen more than they speak.

Windows Distillery: The Future is in the Finish

We are Spirit Benders™. At Windows Distillery, we believe that the true magic lies not in the making—but in the shaping.