Nestled in the scenic landscapes of Upstate New York, Claire M Marin is distilling more than just spirits—she’s distilling a passion for nature, community, and inclusivity. As the Founder and Head Distiller of Pollinator Spirits, a woman-owned and LGBTQ-owned brand, Claire is leading the charge in crafting nature-inspired spirits while championing sustainability. In this interview, we explore her journey and the ethos behind Pollinator Spirits.
Interview with Claire M Marin
Founder & Head Distiller of Pollinator Spirits
Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Claire M Marin, founder of Pollinator Spirits, and her mission to craft sustainable, nature-inspired spirits while championing diversity and inclusivity in the world of craft distilling.
Can you share the story behind why you decided to start your company?
I visited the Catskills in 2003 when my then girlfriend Cathy took me up to the house she owned for a few years. I was immediately taken with the area. Something just called me to it. I wanted more of that, than my city life. I quickly began loving our weekends upstate and took up the hobby of beekeeping! I had given Cathy the gift of a beekeeping kit in December 2003 and I became enamored with the bees and local agricultural area that following Spring of 2004. That truly started it all! I began harvesting the honey from my hives, and bringing jars of it to friends and colleagues. They all told me how wonderful it was. It took me until April of 2010 to make the decision to resign from my 15 year Publishing career to start Catskill Provisions. I incorporated in September 2010 and the rest is history! I supplied restaurants weekly with honey and slowly created a long list of farm to table customers which included Marc Meyer, Jean Georges, Dan Kruger, Michael Anthony and Jody WIlliams to name a few. Also during that period, I began experimenting with whiskeys in my kitchen and landed on a great combo of rye with a tiny bit of my late Summer honey as a delicious option. That was the birth of NY Honey Whiskey! Eventually I began distilling it all myself in 2018, and that is when I launched Pollinator Spirits as the brand name of my spirit line which includes Pollinator Vodka and Gin, Bespoke Gin, Pollinator Bourbon, Pollinator rye and our aperitivo style Crimson Amaro.
How do you think your background and identity have influenced the way you run your business in the alcohol industry?
I think having been raised in a household with lots of appreciation for food, agriculture and wine had great impact on my appreciation for flavors and love of cooking! Distilling on the grain, as I do is very much like cooking. The smells, flavors, sounds all take me back to times when as a child I'd help my Mom and Grandma to cook meals. I also believe that we all have very different and unique palates, so diversity brings different goals of flavor to foods and spirits. For example I wanted a flavorful vodka, with a silky mouthfeel that brought softness to the experience of drinking it. I believe I've accomplished that. I have a confidence in my methodology and flavor profiles that definitely was formed by my upbringing.
What were your biggest challenges when you got started, and what is your biggest challenge right now?
When I started it was the learning curve and comfort with all my distilling equipment. There is a big difference between working with others and then moving over to being the lead distiller! I also found an industry set in its ways not so open to diversity and different thinking to be quite challenging! Now the challenges are mostly to do with which next steps are the right ones to take? How to scale up in a healthy manner? And finding sales help is extremely challenging. The marketplace is just not creating enough sales talent with so many brands looking to staff up, and competition continues to be growing. We are a very vibrant industry and that is super exciting but there are new spirits being introduced every day!
What advice would you give to other aspiring entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds who are interested in entering the alcohol production industry?
Be ready to continuously be challenged by the rigorous schedule you'll be required to have in order to succeed. You must remain super passionate about your vision and tell your story everywhere you can! Be well funded!!
What inspires you to keep going when things get hard?
My original vision still makes the hard days seem doable. It is the vision of running a social responsible distillery, sourcing ingredients from passionate farmers, and staying true to bottling the best possible version of a spirit, that still keeps me going. The marketplace reaction to what I do is an incredible source of strength and clarity.
Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you or your company?
We donate and support pollinator causes, LGBTQ organizations and climate support organizations always. We give up to 3% of our sales to these causes and are always working to expand awareness of these issues.
Pollinator Spirits is more than just a distillery—it's a symbol of passion, sustainability, and inclusion. Whether you're savoring their carefully crafted spirits or supporting their mission, you’re becoming a part of something bigger. Be sure to follow them on social media @pollinator.spirits for more about their journey. Plus, they ship their spirits across the USA! Head to www.pollinatorspirits.com to get Pollinator Spirits delivered to your door.
Cheers to Claire M Marin and Pollinator Spirits—nature’s finest spirits with purpose and pride! 🌿
Because Diversity is the taste of life®!
Remember to enjoy responsibly.
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