Marty Martel, Master Distiller

Florida native, Marty Martel was born at Homestead Airforce base in Homestead, FL. While his father, Brian Martel was away in the service, Marty and his mom Lou returned home to Sarasota, Florida to live with his grandfather “Big Marty” who owned and ran the Midnite Pass Fish Camp at the far south end of Siesta Key. His grandfather was one of the first firefighters on Siesta Key, known as the South Trail volunteer fire department. His grandmother Helen was in the Ringling Circus with 2 of her 3 sisters prior to WWII. 

When his dad returned home from the service, he provided a multitude of services from crabbing to running charters to shark fishing. Marty thrived growing up in this environment and it instilled in him a love of the outdoors, the salt water, fishing, diving, and caring for all manner of sea birds and ocean life. After moving to Bradenton Beach, Marty would spend his summers with his dad at the fish camp, diving, fishing, spearfishing and working around the camp. By the time he was a teenager, he was a first mate on his dad’s charter boat, The Midnite Son. Marty eventually found a way to stay in the salt water and has successfully owned and operated Martel’s Dive Service in Sarasota for the last 30 years.

Marty’s love of rum got him into distilling. Always interested in doing things himself and learning the craft, he bought his first small still over 15 years ago and began experimenting with various flavors and recipes. It took on a life of its own and became a passion as he learned everything he could about distilling. Marty lives in Sarasota, FL with his wife Kasey and daughter Marysa as he continues to focus on his passion of creating and distilling the perfect rum.