Yes, craft or boutique distillers can do some interesting things with gin (vodka + botanicals) and vodka (which can and should be much more than everclear and water). What the craft distillers like most is they can get a quick cash flow going with spirits that don't need long aging.
New craft/boutique whiskey producers have a choice to make: either source out their whiskey (mostly from MGP in Indiana) while waiting for the whiskey they've distilled to age, or, put their whiskey in smaller (but still expensive) casks rush young whiskey out the door. Very few new whiskey distillers have the capital to keep afloat while waiting for their spirits to age the 4-8 years it typically takes to produce a decent whiskey.
