Community Highlights: Meet Caroline Porsiel of House Of Applejay Distillery

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Porsiel.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hi, I’m Caroline Porsiel, founder, distiller, and liqueurist at House of Applejay. Originally from Germany, I moved to Georgia over 10 years ago. My journey into the world of spirits and liqueur-making began more than 20 years ago, fueled by a deep passion for craftsmanship and the rich history of spirits. This path led me to establish House of Applejay in 2022.

At House of Applejay, we specialize in crafting premium, all-natural liqueurs. As a self-described liqueurist, I focus on blending and balancing complex ingredients to create spirits that elevate cocktails or can be savored on their own. Liqueur-making is the oldest spirits category, dating back over 700 years, and it’s also the most complex—there are literally thousands of ingredients that can be used to create a diverse range of liqueurs. The term “liqueurist” was introduced by myself and my mother, Sabine Porsiel, to define our craft. Unlike distillers who focus on base spirits like whiskey, vodka, or gin, a liqueurist specializes in crafting liqueurs—spirits sweetened and naturally flavored with fruits, herbs, spices, or botanicals.

Our distillery in East Ellijay, Georgia, allows us to merge my European heritage with the unique ingredients from the Appalachian region. We use only natural ingredients, ensuring that every bottle reflects the authentic character of the Appalachian region where we’re based.

Despite being a young company, we’ve received the highest industry recognition. Our Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur—perfect on its own or in an Old Fashioned Cocktail or Cherry Cola—won Double Gold at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. We are proud to be the only U.S. distillery worldwide to receive Double Gold in the fruit spirit category this year.

I’m thrilled every day to continue innovating, exploring new ingredients, and sharing the spirit of the Ellijays with our customers, one sip at a time.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Every road has its hurdles, and our journey has been no different. One of the unique challenges we faced here in Gilmer County is that we’re located in a dry county, which meant navigating additional local regulations. Also, being the first distillery in East Ellijay, we had to work closely with the local government to help us understand and establish ourselves within the existing codes for distilleries.

I am incredibly grateful for all the support we received along the way. The community here is truly special, and we couldn’t have overcome these challenges without the help of so many amazing people. The people of the Ellijays are some of the most supportive and welcoming I’ve met, and it’s been wonderful to see their enthusiasm for what we’re doing. We’ve managed to navigate all the hurdles successfully thanks to their support and the guidance we received from our local government.

As you know, we’re big fans of House Of Applejay Distillery. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At House Of Applejay, we specialize in crafting all-natural, small-batch spirits and liqueurs that celebrate the rich flavors of the Appalachian region. Our commitment to quality and innovation has garnered international recognition, with every product earning awards at prestigious competitions such as the 2024 New York World Spirits Competition and the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Notably, our Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur achieved Double Gold at the 2025 SFWSC—the only U.S. company to receive this honor in the Fruit Liqueur category this year. Additionally, our Wildcat Old Style Juniper Liqueur won a Gold Medal at the 2024 NYWSC, further solidifying our reputation for excellence and recognition in the spirits industry.

What sets us apart is our dedication to reinventing classic cocktails with a modern twist. Our Wildcat Tonic offers a unique take on the traditional gin and tonic, while the Mountain Old Fashioned reimagines a beloved classic. We also created the Appalachian Mary, a refreshing take on the classic Bloody Mary, featuring our Mt. Grassy Knob Sweet Grass Vodka and Mt. Wildcat Old Style Juniper Liqueur. Each of our high-proof distillates is named after a real mountain in the area, reflecting our deep connection to the Appalachian landscape. In fact, we host an annual Three Summit Challenge, inviting enthusiasts to hike the local peaks that inspire our spirits—a testament to our commitment to both craft and community.

We also have a fun tradition with our Hibernation Hank Groundhog Day event on February 2nd, featuring a weather-predicting black bear, giving a playful nod to the region’s wildlife. Additionally, we offer historic tours of our distillery, providing visitors with an immersive experience into the art of distilling and liqueur making.

As a founding member of the AmBRu campaign, I am passionate about advocating for the recognition and revitalization of American brandy and rum. At House Of Applejay, we are not just crafting exceptional spirits—we are fostering a movement that honors tradition, embraces innovation, and celebrates the spirit of the Appalachian community.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I was fortunate to work alongside my mom, Sabine Porsiel, an amazing liqueurist, who has been my mentor and guide. Her experience in the craft of liqueur making has been invaluable. Networking has also played a big role—attending industry events, joining campaigns, and being open to learning from others have all helped me build meaningful connections and grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.houseofapplejay.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseofapplejay_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/houseofapplejay/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/house-of-applejay
• Twitter: https://x.com/HouseOfApplejay
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@houseofapplejay
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/house-of-applejay-east-ellijay
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@houseofapplejay

Image Credits
(c) House Of Applejay, Inc