About

Caroline Porsiel is the founder, distiller, and liqueurist of House of Applejay Distillery, a U.S. distillery distinguished by its primary focus on all-natural liqueur making.

Originally from Germany and based in Georgia, Porsiel applies historic European liqueur techniques within a modern American framework. Her work emphasizes natural ingredients, traditional production methods, and the elevation of liqueur as a primary spirits discipline—an approach that is rare in the U.S. market.

Under her leadership, House of Applejay has received international recognition, including Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). In 2025, her Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur was the only U.S.-produced fruit liqueur recognized in its category, marking a significant professional distinction.

In addition to production, Porsiel develops original cocktail formulations and conducts structured, pre-booked history and tasting tours that contribute to professional and public education in liqueur making and distillation.

House of Applejay is the country’s only distillery devoted primarily to all-natural liqueur making, creating award-winning spirits and modern American cocktails rooted in real fruit and historic methods.

Rather than treating liqueur as a secondary product, House of Applejay Distillery places it at the center of the experience—reviving one of the world’s oldest spirits traditions and applying it to a distinctly American context. Every liqueur is crafted in small batches using real fruit, pure Appalachian mountain water, and time-tested techniques, with no artificial flavors, additives, or shortcuts.

Founded by Caroline Porsiel, the distillery is known for shaping New American Classics—cocktails that feel familiar yet contemporary, designed to be balanced, natural, and easy to recreate at home. Among them is the Mountain Old Fashioned, made with Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur, a reimagining of a classic through fruit-driven liqueur rather than added sweetness. In 2025, Winter Cherry Mountain earned Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), making House of Applejay the only U.S. producer recognized in the fruit liqueur category that year.

Visitors can enjoy the tasting room and outdoor patio, where contemporary-designed cocktails highlight the versatility of all-natural liqueurs. Pre-booked history and tasting tours offer insights into liqueur history, distillation, and the role of natural ingredients in modern cocktail culture. The facility is 21+ only.

Bright, relaxed, and welcoming, House of Applejay presents American liqueur making in a fresh way—built on natural ingredients, clear flavors, and modern cocktails that bring people together.