About Us
UNIQUE
Holystone has devised plans for a unique distillation and production setup that is both beautiful and efficient.
WELL DONE
All Holystone products will be new recipes created from scratch by our award winning distiller.
Coming first to Utah
ENCHANTING
Holystone is devoted to creating an enthralling experience, from looking at our bottles, drinking our spirits, to visiting our distillery.
Holystone
Holystone is a soft and brittle sandstone that was formerly used in the Royal Navy and US Navy for scrubbing and whitening the wooden decks of ships. A variety of origins have been proposed for the term, including that such stones were taken from broken monuments of St. Nicholas Church in Great Yarmouth or else the ruined church of St. Helens adjacent to the St Helens Road anchorage of the Isle of Wight where ships would often provision. The US Navy has it the term may have come from the fact that 'holystoning the deck' was originally done on one's knees, as in prayer. Smaller holystones were called "prayer books" and larger ones "Bibles". Holystoning eventually was not generally done on the knees but with a stick resting in a depression in the flat side of the stone and held under the arm and in the hands and moved back and forth with grain on each plank while standing or partially leaning over to put pressure on the stick-driven stone. Holystoning continued on teak-decked Iowa-Class battleships into the 1990s.
For us, the Holystone signifies persistance, hardwork, humility, and teamwork.
BRAVO ZULU - WELL DONE
The combination of the Bravo and Zulu nautical signal flags, e.g., Bravo Zulu, also referred to as "BZ," is a naval signal, typically conveyed by flaghoist or voice radio, meaning "Well Done" with regard to actions, operations or performance. In addition to U.S. naval forces, it has also been used as part of vernacular slang within NATO and other Allied naval forces.
For us, Bravo Zulu gives us a standard to maintain. Our spirits will be done well and we aim to raise the BZ flags in every heart and mind that experiences our products and/or our distillery.
Our Team
Michael DeShazo
Owner/Market Scout
After a career in military service, Mr. DeShazo retired to work for Fedex Express and also pursue his dream of opening a distillery.
In the military Mr. DeShazo operated the LC-130 in support of the National Science Foundations Antarctic Research operations and the E-6A aircraft as part of the nations nuclear deterrent force.
In his current position as a pilot for Fedex Express, Mr. DeShazo is tasked with the operation of a Boeing 777 in the international arena.
As a squadron pilot in the Fleet Logistics Support Wing, Mr. DeShazo acted as Maintenance Officer for Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 55 (VR-55) where he was responsible for more than $250 million in assets, 200 personnel, and a $10.21 million budget.
As Operations Officer Mr. DeShazo was charged with overseeing global operations and support for more than 100 pilots and crew.
As an Instructor Pilot and Evaluator, Mr. DeShazo developed and implemented a dynamic training plan for all assigned instructors and line pilots. Mr. DeShazo conducted over 1000 training and evaluation flights.
As a Mission Commander for the Navy's Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Four, Mr. DeShazo was charged with employing a National Asset aircraft, under the direction of the National Command Authority, and in coordination with the Navy's submarine fleet to provide a nuclear deterrent.
Additionally, Mr. DeShazo started a company developing and producing equipment that didn't currently exist in the marketplace in support of America's special operations forces and law enforcement agencies. His specialized equipment is currently in use in combat and here at home in the law enforcement effort against drug cartels.
Ethan S. Miller
Owner/Head Distiller
After leaving a career in optical, Ethan S. Miller stepped into the world of quality spirits by joining the team at High West Distillery where he became Assistant Blending Coordinator and Safety Coordinator. After a few years he then moved to Portland, OR and became a distiller for New Deal Distillery where he worked and trained with industry pioneer Tom Burkleaux. After his time in Portland, Ethan returned to Utah to help start Dented Brick Distillery. At Dented Brick Ethan helped get the business started from the ground up winning a myriad of awards for his recipes, including being the youngest distiller to win the RumXP award for his white rum.
He founded the Distillers Guild Of Utah and is currently the guild's President.
Ethan is a proud father and is frequently involved in his community on many levels.
He also does work for GeoTek assisting in the planning and collection of geological cores while on expedition for different world governments and energy companies.
Ethan is an accomplished distiller that has won a plethora of awards for a wide variety of spirits.
Now he has teamed up with the DeShazo family to do something new, Holystone Distilling.
Barbie Busch DeShazo
Owner/Events Coordinator
Barbie is a force for good in the world.
Her greatest passion is serving others, a passion which began as a very young child serving her community alongside her father, a Bishop in the LDS Church. Her community service has included volunteer efforts with many organizations in the Salt Lake City area and abroad.
As a businesswoman, Barbie has been very successful in Real Estate, both residential and commercial, becoming one of the most productive Agents in Utah, with a focus on client satisfaction, community growth and economic improvement.
Barbie is a founding member of a Real Estate Development group that is currently enjoying success due to their commitment to the team approach to business as well as diversity of team members, drawing from the experiences and talents of numerous people in the Real Estate and Development industry in Utah.
In addition to being an Entrepreneur, Commercial Real Estate Agent, and passionate Philanthropist, Barbie is a Dancer and, most proudly, a Mother.