DAYTON-Whiskey and brandy distiller "Rusty" Figgins has sold XO Alambic to a large distillery, in the Salem, Ore. area, and he is moving with his family to the Isle of Man, U.K., where he will be the master distiller and manager at Fynoderee Distillery.

Not only will Figgins continue the Fynoderee Distillery tradition of gin production, but he will be leading the way into Manx single malt whiskey production, from locally grown barley.

Figgins said the COVID-19 shutdown played a part in this decision.

"By April or May, I saw the handwriting on the wall."

Into May, Figgins no longer had anything...