Can Music Shape the Taste of Spirits? Stone Groove Thinks So

At this stillhouse in Anaheim’s Packing District, your cocktail might’ve been aged to country or blues.

The label on the country-infused, musically mastered whiskey from Stone Groove Stillhouse. Photo courtesy of James Tran

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Portola Coffee founders Jeff and Christa Duggan spent the past five years researching and developing a concept that uniquely distills spirits by “infusing” varying genres of music to create more nuanced cocktail bases. The Duggans soft-opened Stone Groove Stillhouse in mid-July with a solid bar program from bar director Matt Fitzgerald, complemented by a modern dining menu courtesy of Chef Jessica Luevano.

Sound Groove owners Jeff and Christa Duggan spent five years working on their new stillhouse. Photo courtesy of James Tran

The distillation method may sound far-fetched, yet when curious diners enter the establishment and inquire about the patent-pending process on the other side of a glass wall they can opt to be educated on Stillhouse’s bespoke equipment – but are also requested not to photograph some proprietary areas (specifically the unit that integrates music into whiskey and additional spirits). 

“It’s exciting to be able to experience that same spirit of innovation and discovery that we had with Portola Coffee again at Stone Groove,” Christa Duggan said.

During the explanation of Stone Groove’s trademarked “Musically Mastered” distillation, participants were invited to sip and compare two whiskeys and guess which was the country-infusion versus a blues version. (The blues version possessed a smoother mouthfeel than the country one, in this writer’s opinion.) Despite being correct, the group had generally diverse experiences with spirits, making it difficult to articulate what differentiated one infusion versus the other so they could understand – meaning there was room for a lively discussion afterwards. 

The distillery equipment at Stone Groove resembles brass instruments, a nod to the music they are infusing into their products. Photo by Anne Marie Panoringan, Culture OC

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Jeff Duggan’s love of music played a major role in the creation of Stone Groove. “Sound is energy, and music is its most expressive form. By applying this resonant energy to the barrel, we’re not just playing music to the spirit – we’re accelerating extraction and promoting esterification (a chemical reaction where a carboxylic acid and an alcohol combine to form an ester and water),” Jeff Duggan said. Different genres create different vibrational profiles, each receiving a unique fingerprint on the whiskey’s character. “While science is at the heart of this process, it is guided by a deep love for music,” he said.

At the far end of Stone Groove was its sparkling kitchen with a transparent view of Chef Luevano and her culinary team. For her, food is a constant – present in people’s everyday lives. “It’s whom I’ve met, where I came from and where I see myself going,” Luevano said. She also considers food as evolution and looks forward to seeing where it takes her team. “Working beside creatives has opened and broadened my perspective on the manipulation of a product and how to further enhance and elevate my style of cooking,” she said.

PHOTO 1: “Country Bourbon” glazed carrots on a bed of whipped goat cheese and crunch of hazelnuts. PHOTO 2: Stone Groove’s Chicken Milanese includes green apple, fennel and honey mustard. PHOTO 3: Chef Luevano’s ahi dish at Stone Groove is delicately plated with yellowtail, tomato, Persian cucumber, tapioca cracker and dusted in Yamatsu Gokujyou. PHOTO 4: Chef Luevano at work prepping for dinner service in Stone Groove Stillhouse’s highly visible kitchen. PHOTO 5: The Tragic Kingdom cocktail at Stone Groove Stillhouse includes Stone Groove Creamsicle Vodka, Mexican orange and vanilla. PHOTO 6: The bar at Stone Groove. Photos 1-4 by Anne Marie Panoringan, Culture OC. Photos 5-6 courtesy of James Tran

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Suggestions for first-timers include a queen Caesar salad in savory anchovy dressing and Parmesan herb breadcrumbs, plus an indulgent Milanese of chicken (typically prepared with veal) dressed with honey mustard, celery and arugula slaw. Round out your dinner with a Tragic Kingdom cocktail that gives ice cream truck flashbacks, but is an ode to O.C.’s No Doubt thanks to Stone Groove Creamsicle vodka, Mexican orange and vanilla.

In the first week that Stone Groove has been open, the Duggans have seen quite a few familiar faces who were there during the early days of Portola Coffee. “It’s hard to adequately describe how much it means for us to have so many (people) join us in this next chapter of our unique journey,” Christa Duggan said.

Stone Groove Stillhouse is located in the Anaheim Make building adjacent to the Packing House. The historical structure is also home to Unsung Brewing Co. and Pali Wine Co. tasting room – making the corner a trifecta of liquid nourishment. 500 S. Anaheim Blvd., Space A; Anaheim; (714) 860-4211.