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Distilleries

The Great Story of Dented Brick Distillery

Dented Brick Distillery started with a great story — long before it even began. The distillery is named in honor of the well driller who tapped the artesian well on the property which is now the source of the water for the distillery’s spirits.

by

Heather L. King

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Marc Christensen, found and CEO of Dented Brick Distillery.
Marc Christensen, found and CEO of Dented Brick Distillery. Photo by Dung Hoang.

Dented Brick Distillery started with a great story — long before it even began. The distillery is named in honor of the well driller who tapped the artesian well on the property which is now the source of the water for the distillery’s spirits. He was killed in a blazing gunfight that left impressions on the bricks of the little house that once stood on the distillery property that opened in April of 2006. But the connection doesn’t end there. With the blessing of Brigham Young, renowned distiller Hugh Moon, Utah’s first known Distiller of Record, built his distillery on the same land and made whiskey for the early Mormon pioneers in the 1850s.

You might recognize that name from two of Dented Brick’s whiskey offerings: Hugh Moon’s White Whiskey and Moon’s Best Rye Whiskey. Dented Brick founder and CEO Marc Christensen is most proud of Moon’s Best, which is 100% Cache Valley rye distilled on a Vendome still then barrel-rested in charred oak barrels. “It’s a great product,” Christensen says. “ We’ve aged it here for more than two years in barrels. It tastes really good, it has a great story, it has a great label.”

Alongside the commemorative whiskeys, Dented Brick also produces Antelope Island Rum, Great Basin Bristlecone Gin and Roofraiser Vodka, with 50% red winter wheat and 50% pumpernickel rye from Cache Valley.

Christensen explains that most of the distillery’s sales come from the state liquor stores — much to his dismay. “If I were king of the DABC for a day, I would get rid of the distribution system,” he says. “I would allow distilleries to sell directly to the state or to restaurants and bars without having to have a distributor. The law requires us to sell through distribution. It’s just ridiculous.”

Dented Brick Distillery is located at 3100 S Washington St., South Salt Lake. 801-883-9837.

Open Monday through Friday 10am to 10pm and Saturday 1pm to 10pm

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Heather L. King

Heather is a food and beverage writer and anonymous restaurant critic for a variety of publications in Utah. She’s happy to have reported on Utah’s changing food landscape for more than 20 years. When not dining out, you’ll often find her at local farmers markets shopping for fresh produce and meeting local vendors. During the pandemic lockdown, she spent her time perfecting gin cocktails — often using locally produced spirits and garnishes. She shares her love of great food with her husband and two Great Danes. Her passion for traveling is fueled by experiencing the food cultures of other countries and regions. She owns SLCLunches.com, and you’ll find her sharing her favorite dishes @slclunches.

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