OUR PARTNERS
Don Michael
A whisky unlike any other in the world -
Although sometimes called the “Water of Life” in Gaelic, the true origins of whiskey remain shrouded in mystery.
Black whiskey and the idea to use Andean Black Corn comes from the ancient Andean technique of making a homemade beer called chicha jora. We at Don Michael have refined this process, added malted grains to smooth out the flavor, and implemented a state-of-the-art distillation facility to provide the world with a unique Andean Whiskey in the form of Black Whiskey
Our Team
The founders
Our history in Peru dates back to the 1950’s. It started in mining and petroleum and shifted to finance and construction. The evolution of Don Michael has encompassed many years, and geographically most of Peru.
Today, the third generation of our family is introducing a new chapter totally unlike anything before. The Don Michael, Andean Distillery is unique. We are an internationally certified distillery producing a bourbon style whiskey using ancient Andean grains. Here at Don Michael we believe in using only the best. From our Andean Black Corn and malted grains to our American white oak barrels we use the best of the best to provide the world with excellence.
The portfolio of Don Michael products continues to excel in worldwide spirits competitions. Black Whiskey was the most awarded whiskey of South America in 2021 and our expectations are to continue to excel with our flagship whiskey and our future releases.
FOUNDER
MICHAEL KURYLA
Born and raised in Miami Florida. Graduated Tulane University in 1997 as a mechanical engineer and finished an MBA at the University of Miami in 2007. After working and living all over the USA, China, Spain and Africa the final destination turned out to be Peru where the Andean Distillery named Don Michael was launched in late 2016. The focus of the distillery was to produce the best possible whiskey from organic Andean Black Corn.
This evolved into the world’s first “Andean Whiskey” called Black Whiskey, named after the primary grain in the mash bill. After nearly five years of hard work with his wife Daiana Milon Mayer the distillery now produces a number of world class spirits that have won more than 20 international awards.
CO-FOUNDER
DAIANA PAOLA MILON MAYER
Born in Peru and raised in Argentina as a refugee, Daiana returned to Lima and graduated top of her class with an undergrad in agroindustry and agrobusiness engineering and a MSc in business management with mention in Environment and Social Sciences. Daiana is a certified card carrying engineer in Peru and is completing a secondary career in Veterinary Medicine.
Despite such personal commitments she plays a huge role in the daily operations of the distillery as quality control manager and our master sommelier. Daiana is 100% responsible for barrel selection and getting those barrels blended into our award winning Black Whiskey. In addition, our Distillery is now HACCP certified thanks to Daiana.
Andean Black Corn -
Peru is a country filled with culture and history, especially when it comes to Ancient Grains. Native to Peru are fifty two different varieties of corn. We are lucky enough to have found a variety of Black Corn that grows at over 10,000 feet above sea level and makes an amazing whiskey.
American Oak Barrels -
Our barrels are an integral part of maturing Black Whiskey. All of our barrels are imported from the United States. We only use NEW white oak barrels. Our whiskey is a bourbon style whiskey, so much so that the Peruvian government has recognized ‘Andean Whiskey’ as a new type of whiskey much like ‘Japanese Whiskey’. We are proud to have been a part of creating this style of whiskey and presenting it to the world in the form of Black Whiskey.
Our Distillery -
It is very easy to describe: Awesome. Our distillery has three different production lines and four different stills. Our first production line is primarily used for testing and new product development. Our 1000 liter line is used mostly for making gin while our 10,000 liter line is the workhorse of the distillery.
international recognition
Award-winning whiskies
Awards
In the first half of 2023, the Don Michael distillery portfolio won 18 medals at major international competitions, including silver, gold, triple gold, triple platinum and triple diamond medals, testifying to its high quality and unique character.
Our whiskies
Our flagship spirits
Sale
SINGLE BARREL
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Black Whiskey Limited Edition
Awarded at the New York World Spirits Competition 2022 as the best whisky in the world, double gold medal, “Best in Show” and “Best in Class” in all spirits categories.
This is a true limited edition of our world class Black Whiskey. Barrels are hand selected by our master sommelier Daiana Paola Milon Mayer. Each barrel is special, and offers a unique expression of our Andean Black Corn Whiskey
Double Gold, Best In show, Best in class - New York International Spirits Competition (NWISC
Triple Gold - MLSA, American Distilling Institute (ADI)
Silver - Tokyo Whisky Spirits Competition Wine
Silver - London Spirits Competition
Silver - Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA)
Sale
BLACK WHISKEY
At Don Michael, we have the privilege of presenting a whiskey unlike any other. Made from Andean Black Corn and the purest mountain spring water, our whiskey is aged to perfection in American white oak barrels. This is Black Whiskey.
The first, and the best Andean Whiskey in the world!