Meet our crew: get to know the awesome humans that make Cardinal Spirits possible!

Justin Hughey

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head distiller at Cardinal Spirits

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Tell us about your role at Cardinal Spirits.

I'm the Head Distiller at Cardinal. My job is to ferment and distill. This includes the day-to-day monitoring of fermentation, running the still after fermentation is complete, and scheduling when all of those things are going to occur . I also proof down, blend, and filter Cardinal Spirits products. I'm also responsible for our barrel program, which means I'm putting whiskeys, brandies, etc into barrels and tasting those barrels years down the road. Of course, tasting barrels is the best part, but there is a lot of work involved to get to that point.

Where are you from? Where have you lived?

I'm from Indianapolis. I moved to Bloomington for college in 2005, and never left.

Justin sampling from barrels of brandy made with locally-grown catawba grapes from Oliver Winery.

Any family and/or pets you’d like to introduce to us?

I have a freshwater fish tank full of fish, shrimp, and 100s of snails (the snails are invasive). I also have 7 laying hens. I also have a wonderful wife who somehow tolerates me.

Tell us about a skill you have outside of work?

I'm a pretty okay banjo player. I've been playing since I was 16.

Justin, left, busking with his band The New Old Cavalry.

What's your favorite Cardinal Spirits product/cocktail/dish?

Spirit: Tiki Rum. Cocktail: Terra Gimlet with a basil leaf. Dish: I'm not sure if it's on the menu, but our chef Abel Garcia works with The Chocolate Moose to make ice cream with our used spiced rum botanicals. It is phenomenal. (Editor’s note: Yes, this ice cream IS on our carry-out menu right now, served with our amaro cake!)

It’s happy hour — what are you drinking?

Probably cheap beer. Maybe cheap whiskey and Coke.

What advice do you have for people who want to make better drinks at home?

Make them stronger?

Justin monitoring the orange steep for Valencia Triple Sec.

What would surprise people about the work you do at Cardinal?

How much math is involved. It's all relatively easy math. The trick to it is being able to apply it. Think math story problems from 8th grade.

What is Cardinal’s best-kept secret?

I would say Prince William. He is a full-sized (20 foot) wacky inflatable tube man. I bought him on my last birthday. Best money I ever spent. On really busy days I take him with me to Cardinal and he helps out in the back.

Have you ever thought of a good business idea?

I have a ton of stupid business ideas, so a business that comes up with dumb business plans.

What's your coffee order?

Black

Favorite place on the Internet?

Reddit. I spend way too much time there, but it is entertaining.

Any TV/podcast/book recs for us?

I recently finished season 3 of Yellowstone. That is a pretty entertaining series. If you are into country music check out Cocaine & Rhinestones. It tells some really interesting behind-the-scenes stories about old country stars.

Thanks, Justin! We are lucky to have you on our team!