US - The West Distilleries

Question 1

Wyoming Whiskey

Answer 1

-Kirby, Wyoming
-Founded in 2009 by Kate and Brad Mead
-tailors to whiskey distillation to match the harsh environment
-4,000+ft elevation - water boils at lower point than sea level (204F)
-Wheated Bourbon (68C/20 Winter Wheat/12MB)
-Bought by Edrington in 2023
-Nancy Fraley (Iron Root, Still Austin, Virginia Distillery) on board

Question 2

Leopold Brothers

Answer 2

-Denver, Colorado
-started by Todd and Scott Leopold in 1999 in Ann Arbor Michigan
-2008 moved to Denver
-72 hour ferments
-Own Floor malting
-Three chamber still

Question 3

Stranahan’s

Answer 3

-One of the birthplaces of American Single Malt
-In 1998, Firefighter attended a call-out at a barn owned by George Stranahan
-First whiskey launched in 2004
-Bought by Proximo in 2010
-Jess stepped away to start Tin-Cup
-three day fermentation
-White dog collected at 140 Proof, barreled at 110
-High altitude means angels share of 11-15%

Question 4

Laws Whiskey House

Answer 4

-one of three distilleries in Denver
-Bourbon Four Grain Mash bill (60C/20W/10R/10MB)
-Rye is 95% Heirloom Rye, 5% MB

Question 5

Sante Fe Spirits

Answer 5

-Sante Fe, NM
-Founded by Colin Keegan in 2010
-Distillery at 7,000 ft
-Two row barley
-Signature whiskey Colkegan - kilned over mesquite

Question 6

Whiskey Del Bac

Answer 6

-Tuscon, AZ
-Dorado = Two row barley kilned over mesquite, distilled in pot, aged in American Oak
-Classic is unsmoked
-MGP Rye = Sentinel

Question 7

High West

Answer 7

-Dave Perkins and his wife founded in 2004 in Park City
-Three years later started distilling
-sold to Constellation in 2016
-Sourced from MGP initially, now some Bardstown

Question 8

Frey Ranch

Answer 8

-Fallon, NV
-Founded in 2006 by Colby Frey and wife Ashely
-Law didn’t allow distilling until 2016
-grain is 100% from Frey Ranch
-Flagship Four Grain Bourbon (66.6% Corn, 11.4% Winter Wheat, 12% 2-row barley

Question 9

St George Spirits

Answer 9

-Alameda, CA on former Naval base
-Califonrian Single Malt
-Baller blend for Sushi Bars
-Blending lies at St George’s heart

Question 10

Westward

Answer 10

-Genesis was when in 2002 Lee Medoff started bringing beer from McMinneville OR to Portland and distilling it
-In 2015 ground was broken on a new site in Portland
-Single Malt inspired by beers of the Northwest
-mashes at 152 proof then sparges at 170
-5-6 day ferments

Question 11

Bull Run

Answer 11

-When Lee Medoff (founder of Westland) left in 2010 he founded Bull Run
-Single Malt

Question 12

McCarthy’s

Answer 12

-can claim to be America’s first single malt
-started in 1993
-Peated Scottish barley is used

Question 13

Westland

Answer 13

-Seattle, Washington
-2015 started using “heavy mash” technique to create spirit for longer term maturation in oak
-uses incressingly hotter water to extract more lipids and oils
-Low wines with more oils and fatty acids
-use of local Quercus Garryana
-Solum - Washington State Peat

Question 14

Copperworks

Answer 14

Seattle, Washington
-week long ferment followed by a two week cold conditioning (no lactobacilus)
-distillation in pot stills with middle cut between 147 and 121 proof
-spirit aged in oak air-seasoned for 18-24 months

Question 15

Woodinville

Answer 15

-Founded by Orlin Sorensen and Brett Carlile with rye grown by Phyllis and Arnie Omlin in Quincy WA
-Mentored by Dave Pickerell
-Mash bill is 72C/22R/6MB and is a sweet mash
barreled at 110 into 18 month aired dried Missouri and Ozark oak with $4 char and toasted heads

Question 16

Alaska distilleries

Answer 16

-Anchorage
-Port Chilikoot
-Uncharted Alsaks
-Amalga