Spirits - Awildan Distilling
Awildan Distilling

Spirits

Whiskey –
Awildan Distilling is focused on producing single malt whiskey. Although there is not an official definition of single malt whiskey in the US, we take our definition from Scotland: pot distilled whiskey made at a single distillery from 100% malted barley, aged at least 3 years in oak casks. Awildan’s whiskey is currently maturing, but we look forward to the day the first casks are ready to be shared and enjoyed.

Upcoming –
Current: Genever – Genever (or jenever) is a spirit originating from what is now Belgium and the Netherlands. Historically, it was made by distilling “malt wine” (aka beer) and flavoring the spirit with juniper berries. This beverage dates back to at least the 16th century. As distilling technology advanced and the public’s taste preferences changed, the charactful malt wine base was replaced with a near neutral tasting spirit and consumption of genever gave way to gin.

Awildan Distilling’s genever uses our single malt whiskey as an exceptional foundation for the blend of 11 organic or wild-harvested botanicals. The botanicals include: juniper, coriander, angelica root, cassia bark, grains of paradise, lemon peel, orris root, black cardamom, mace, gentian root, and birch bark. There is a sense of the familiar for fans of gin, with juniper presenting the dominant aroma and flavor. However, the warming flavors of mace and cassia quickly catch up, with a pleasant citrus note on top. Underlying all is the flavor and texture of the single malt whiskey base spirit, lending a touch of sweetness and body not found in gin.

Great to sip neat, or on the rocks, Awildan genever is also at home in any of your favorite gin cocktails!

Next: Spiced rum – Rum is a spirit produced from fermented and distilled sugarcane products. This includes everything from the freshly pressed sugarcane juice, to granulated sugar, to molasses. The first rum distilled in the Caribbean dates back to the 17th century, and quickly became popular with sailors and those associated with maritime trade.

Awildan’s rum is primarily fermented black strap molasses, 2.5x distilled in our copper pot still. We have placed some rum in oak casks to mature, and redistilled some of it in the presence of vanilla beans, cassia bark, mace, cloves, green peppercorns, allspice berries, ginger root, and lemon peel to create a robust, bursting-with-flavor, spiced rum.

Cocktails-

French 75 (feat. Genever)

Genever takes the place of gin in this elegant cocktail inspired by the classic French 75. 

The freshly squeezed lemon juice accentuates the bright citrus notes in Awildan’s botanical blend. 

1 oz genever

½  oz lemon juice–freshly squeezed

½  oz simple syrup

3-4 oz champagne  

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill a cocktail shaker about ⅓ full with ice. Add genever, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker. Give it a shake. Strain into a champagne flute. Top with champagne.  

Death in the Gulf Stream

Earnest Hemmingway is said to have enjoyed this genever-forward cocktail.   

2 oz genever

1 oz lime juice–freshly squeezed

¾  oz simple syrup

3 dashes bitters 

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill a cocktail shaker about ⅓ full with ice. Add genever, lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker. Give it a shake. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Top with 3 shakes of bitters. 

Classic Gen & Tonic

This cocktail is based on the classic gin and tonic. It’s both refreshing and crisp. The unique botanical blend in Awildan genever lends depth and complexity.

1.5 oz genever

4 oz tonic water of your choice

The juice of one, small lime–freshly squeezed 

INSTRUCTIONS

In your favorite rocks glass filled with ice, add genever and the juice of one lime. Stir to combine. Top with the tonic water of your choice. Give it one more stir and garnish with a lime wedge.

Herbal Gen & Tonic

This twist on the classic gin and tonic features the flavors of summer and gets a lovely, earthy note from the fresh, garden ingredients.

1.5 oz genever

4 oz tonic water of your choice

The juice of ½ a lime 

3 thin cucumber slices

4 mint leaves

1 spring of fresh rosemary

INSTRUCTIONS

At the bottom of a rocks glass add genver, lime juice, cucumber, and mint. Muddle these ingredients. Fill your glass with ice, then top with the tonic water of your choice. Give it one more stir and garnish with sprigs of fresh rosemary and mint.