The Narrative:

It is mentioned on their website that the founding of the distillery could arguably be traced to a TIME magazine article. The article in question appeared in a January 2008 issue and featured a discussion on the re-emergence of craft distilling in the United States. So in 2009 Smooth Ambler Spirits Co. was founded by TAG Galyean and John Little. Both had wanted to make something that they and the surrounding Greenbrier Valley community could be proud of. Smooth Ambler Spirits has set out to produce fine artisan spirits by combining patient Appalachian know-how with the finest of American ingredients. Located in the rural Greenbrier Valley of West Virginia, Smooth Ambler uses state-of-the-art distillery equipment in conjunction with the natural resources of the region; high-valley mountain air, natural mountain waters, ideal temperature variations and friendly folks. Smooth Ambler is known as much for its premium taste products as it is for local West Virginia pride. The distillery just recently completed an expansion and is positioned to produce 3,000 barrels of whiskey this year. The distillery will also continue to source quality whiskey when it becomes available. 

Commenting on ‘Big Level’ Head Distiller and CEO John Little had this to say.

“Much of what we’ve done at Smooth Ambler has been leading up to this moment, The release of Big Level signifies the beginning of our long-term ability to offer a third, important category of whiskeys to us: those which are 100% made here in West Virginia. We’re excited for this whiskey to complement the merchant bottled and “married” (merchant and homemade blended together) families already embraced by our business.”