Author Archives for Joe Thomas Corley

California Brandy Still Makes New Friends


Many people of a more mature age than myself remember brandy from california to be from producers like Gallo, Guild, Christian Brothers, Paul Masson, Korbel, etc. and made to be quaffed alone, but often in coffee, eggnog, or in mixed drinks.
There was (and still is in many cases) in these products, very little resemblance to […]

Mix Or Not To Mix…


So mixed drinks have made a comeback and you are thinking “what am I to do with all my brandy, vodka, absinthe, etc. that I have been enjoying neat (without ice, by it’s onesies)? Well, sure you could buck the trend and keep on with being a neat-freak, or you could experiment with ingredients that […]

Joe Thomas Corley

I am the Director of Production and distiller at Germain-Robin Distillery in Redwood Valley, California. I write somewhat casually and I don't take myself too seriously, even though I am in charge of a 20 million dollar cellar inventory and one false move could mean a loss of many years of a historical and significant wealth of libation....and more importantly, my paycheck....I remain goofy and absurd. But, with every effort, I try to compel some knowledge, a little wit, and even some thoughtfulness out of this bag of dust that I call, well...me. I have visited every united state that is America (my folks took us everywhere) most of lower Canada, most of Europe before our dollar tanked, but I still need to go to Asia and beyond. I am a singer/guitarist who fancies Jimi, Eric, Jeff, etc., but I still keep my day job. I am married and I have been with the same woman for 30 years this year....still trying to see if it will work out. I do like the gustatory elements of existence-food, wine, spirits, music and, yes...Burning Man! Peace to all who come here...a sante.