With these resources at his disposal, distiller Matt Aspengren began working on developing the processes for the spirits-from preparing the ingredients for mashing to distilling and aging-last year, just as businesses began to close due to the pandemic. The tabletops in the tasting room also have the distillery’s logo engraved on them. Aaron is president and CEO of Kern Technologies, which produces a line of CO2 lasers. Derek is president and CEO of Kern Laser Systems, a manufacturer of state-of-the-art laser cutting and engraving systems. The Kerns’ expertise in high-tech laser technology runs deep. The engraver produces charred white oak chips called “barrel breakers,” which can be placed in alcohol to infuse it with the smoky oak flavor while using less wood compared to aging in an oak barrel. “The distillery supports initiatives that have already been started in town,” says Wilson, noting that Drastic Measures Brewing opened across the street last year.Īs plans for their business grew, Wilson and Stormoen brought in Derek Kern, now Little Round’s president, and his brother Aaron Kern, as investors who also introduced a laser engraver as another part of the business. It had last held a bistro and small businesses on its three floors. The two kept in touch and the idea of Little Round came to life when they visited the empty 24,000 ft. Their conversation led to a shared interest in bourbon, and how toasted and charred white oak chips brought depth and nuisance to spirits. Both men were professionals in the lumber industry, and they met when Wilson was interested in buying white oak from Stormoen. It was that same white oak that first brought investors Steve Wilson and David Stormoen together. Since late 2020, Little Round Still in Wadena, Minnesota, has been distilling small-batch rum, vodka, and bourbon made from Minnesota grains, water from a local aquifer filtered by natural sand, and aged on Minnesota white oak.
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