Saturday, February 28, 2015

Why I love a good Distillery Tour




Some days are for going hard, others are for hitting the gym and working your muscles. This was one of the former, even though I was all decked out and ready to lift. My travels brought me over to one of our larger, local distilleries: Feisty Spirits. I had no idea what i was in for when i stumbled in from a snowy evening. I had been hoping for at least a hot toddy, since this distillery specializes in whiskey. 
Well, I didn't quite get a hot toddy, but I did get to sample their AMAZING selection of whiskeys, liqueurs and schnapps. Since it was fairly early in the night, I was lucky enough to meet one of the owners who also distills. Everyone I met there seemed super knowledgeable and eager to help me learn; if you stop by, you will also get to know all about what they are pouring that day and maybe even what might be in the works around back. 
Tours are given most days when the tasting room is open so you might get to meet their awesome equipment aphrodite and athena.
Back to the booze: I was able to try a flavored whiskey "non-conformist spirit" spiced up with maple, cinnamon and oats that went down way too easy for something that strong. I might have to go back and pick up a bottle. We also tried the Rye, sharp, distinct, and the best i have ever tasted (Maestro 100% rye whiskey to be specific), and a sip of the barreled red corn whiskey, a single grain whiskey that was a bit too, well, whiskey for me. Eric however had no problem taking care of the rest of that taster for me. Next we moved on to some a more adventurous taster: Bier Schnapps BBB sour beer. This spirit imparted the sour taste from the beer, but with a very different kick. 
The final sips were of the apple brandy with a comparison to their apple jack. Both very apple, with very different finishes.

Just as a note: i'm not a huge whiskey person. I don't have the vocabulary to describe in detail how great these whiskey's were, and therefore can't do them justice. You will simply have to try them yourself.
I was hoping for a taste of the Collabsky w/ Bottle Brewery, a malt whiskey, but i think Eric absconded with his bottle of that for the weekend. Hopefully there will be some left, or i may just have to go back for another flight or two. 

In terms of the ratings, i'll give an overall 5/5 for flavor since i liked everything so much, but be prepared to scrape together more than your usual spare change, as good whiskey will set you back.