Ari Sussman

Following three years of winemaking in France, Ari was approached by the newly formed Artisan Distilling Program at Michigan State University to help train the next generation of distillers in the art and science of spirits development. During his four years at MSU-ADP, Ari worked with dozens of students, entrepreneurs, farmers and corporations to bring new spirits to market, often incorporating cutting edge techniques and processes.

Ari has worked closely with architects and zoning officials to build 15 new distilleries from the east coast to Detroit to California. In 2013, Ari founded the only distillery in his home town of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Within its first year, Ann Arbor Distilling Company won several accolades and awards. Ari has consulted on Whiskey Advocate’s “Distillers of the year” and “Craft Spirit of the Year” awards, all in the last Three Years. His well-diversified distilling skills have also earned major accolades in the Vodka and Gin categories as well. He has worked on projects that have earned the “Best Vodka in the World Award” in London and a “Top Ten Spirits” 2015 in Wine and Spirits Magazine.

Ari continues to work with distilleries, importers and blenders to streamline operations, develop new products and install qualitative and quantitative quality control and assurance.