Denison distillery Ironroot Republic plans to add two pre-engineered steel buildings to its site for barrel storage and dry-goods storage.
At an estimated cost of $2.7 million, construction is scheduled to begin in February, according to a state filing. The single-story buildings totaling 20,280 square feet will have identical exteriors to the existing buildings. One of the buildings will include a 900-square-foot mezzanine, the filing shows. The project has an anticipated delivery date of mid-July.
Brothers Jonathan and Robert Likarish opened Ironroot Republic in 2014 after interning around the world for a few years learning the industry.
“In 2011, the Likarish brothers took a leap of faith,” according to the company’s website. “Robert was wrapping up his law degree and Jonathan was working as a biomedical engineer when they decided to throw caution to the wind and pursue distilling.
“The name Ironroot pays tribute to viticulturist and Denison native T.V. Munson’s hardy ‘iron’ roots that helped save the French wine industry from total destruction. Munson’s efforts resulted in Denison and Cognac ultimately becoming sister cities.”
Gaining inspiration in adapting French distilling techniques, they used them to “tame the intense climate of Texas” instead of imitating traditional flavors.
“The distillery finally opened in 2014 to much local fanfare,” the website shows. “When the brothers realized they needed someone to help manage the business (and them), their mother Marcia — aka the Mother of Texas Whiskey — joined the staff.”
Together, they mash, ferment, distill and barrel-age and bottle the family liquor in Denison. Their lines include Carpenter’s Bluff Moonshine, Texas Drought Gin, Blue Norther Texas Vodka, Icarus, Sleight of Hand Brandy, Esoteric American Whiskey, Hubris, Harbinger XC, Promethean, and Harbinger 115.