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A Changemaking Couple

ou know, it’s cool to be a nerd now,” “It’s exciting to see people who appreciate the
Kanto says. “In pop culture, there’s a scientific aspects of what goes into their product.
“Ypervasive influence of engineering, We’ve had a lot of people come in and say, ‘I feel
science and science fiction.” comfortable,’ or ‘This is my place,’” Kanto says.
Kanto is a UA chemical engineering and Respect for local ingredients and history is
engineering management graduate. He and Sarah another value customers appreciate, Kanto says.
set out to use science and technology to reinvent He distills from rye because it’s a local heritage
the way craft spirits are made. They officially grain. “A lot of American distilling owes its roots
opened Quantum Spirits on St. Patrick’s Day. to this region of southwestern Pennsylvania.
With the help of a physical chemist, Kanto Before Prohibition, this part of the country was
monitors dozens of data points for each batch the distilling capital of the U.S.,” Kanto says.
of vodka and gin produced on-site at Quantum “Respect the past. Drink to the future.”
Spirits. They use the data to control quality and Quantum Sprits’ tagline shows appreciation for
discover ways to modify their results, such as their community and ambition to influence craft
changing the temperature at certain points in the distilling’s future. The Kantos are expanding
process to affect the flavor profile. Quantum Spirits’ product line to include aged
Their approach is the basis for Quantum spirits, and they recently barreled the company’s
Spirits’ branding and marketing efforts, which first whiskey.
are directed toward customers who embrace “Application of science and engineering to
their inner nerd. Fans can get in on the science, aging whiskey is something that got us excited
affecting the taste of future batches by taking about founding the company to begin with,”
Quantum Spirits’ tasting room part in tasting panels. Kanto says.
in Carnegie, Pennsylvania
/ Dustin Holbrook photo

38 ARIZONA ALUMNI MAGAZINE