Dec 10, 2014 | Distillery News Stories
As word spreads about our plan to make whiskey from heirloom corn varieties that we grow ourselves, the project is beginning to take on the feeling of a crusade. There are as many people interested in the corn growing as the whiskey making. Here is what we have accomplished so far.
Master Gardner Recruited
Greg Newell, a New Haven area resident and Master Gardner, has volunteered to lead the farming part of this project. He has been involved with demonstration gardening with the Missouri Botanical Garden and Schlafly Bottleworks in St. Louis. His passion for agricultural sustainability and biodynamics are a perfect fit.
Propagation Plots Plowed
Ground was broken last month at the propagation plot across the street from the distillery. Some large foundation stones were uncovered, along with a quantity of brick from demolished structures. A group of high school students who are Future Farmers of America members (FFA) will remove the debris and help prepare for planting. Soil tests indicate the ground is of good fertility for growing corn.
Seed Secured
Greg has secured seed for all three heirloom corn varieties that we will be focusing on this year. These are Tennessee Red Cob, Pencil Cob and Hickory Cane. Tennessee Red Cob and Hickory Cane will be planted in the propagation plots to grow seed corn for next year’s production. Greg was able locate enough Pencil Cob to plant a full acre, about 20 pounds of seed.
Larger Still Ordered
A 325-gallon pot still with a Scotch style head has been ordered for March delivery. It’s identical in appearance to the 60 gallon still we are currently using, but without the fractioning column. This unit will be used for ‘stripping’, which is the first step in extracting alcohol from a fermented mash of grain and water.
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Oct 30, 2014 | Distillery News Stories, New Products
Just in Time for Gift Giving, or Winter Sipping!
Want to finish your holiday shopping early? We have now released a limited supply of our small barrel, select whiskeys. These will only be available in the tasting room, and only in 200mL bottles. They will be sold individually, or as a 3-bottle boxed set. Sherry Cask, Stout Cask and Rye and Rested are included in the branded wood collector’s box for $75. Since these are only at the distillery, you have (yet) another reason to come on down and see us.
Our Special Edition, Barrel-finished Spirits:
Port Cask Finish
After a year in new oak, this whiskey is then finished in a port barrel from Stone Hill Winery in Hermann MO. American whiskey made from corn, finished in a traditional Scottish style.
Sherry Cask Finish
After a year in new oak, this whiskey is then finished in an Oloroso sherry cask. American whiskey made from corn, finished in a traditional Scottish style.
Stout Cask Finish
Second Shift Brewery in New Haven, MO finishes some of their acclaimed stout in our whiskey barrels. We return the favor by using the barrels to finishing our year old whiskey.
Zinfandel Cask Finish
After a year in new oak, this whiskey is then finished in a French oak Zinfandel barrel from Peter Franus, Brandlin Vineyard on Mount Veeder, Napa Valley.
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Oct 30, 2014 | Distillery News Stories, New Products
Once It’s Gone, You’ll Have to Wait at Least a Year!
Rye History
In the late 1700s and early 1800s rye was the grain that most American whiskey was made from. As the country expanded westward, corn began to replace rye and by the end of Prohibition, rye had largely disappeared.
Flavor Profile
The spicy, sometimes described as ‘peppery’ notes of rye whiskey often show best when blended with the natural sweetness of whiskey made from corn. Distinctive vanillin and caramel notes add complexity and character. Rye & Rested Whiskey is a blend of 55% rye and 45% Pinckney Bend’s award winning Rested American Whiskey. The result is a unique flavor profile that accentuates the best aspects of each spirit.
Production
The rye is aged in new, standard sized whiskey barrels, where the Rested is aged in new 15 gallon barrels. Here at the distillery, both whiskeys experience a seismic event every 40 minutes. It’s called the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and we are only 300 feet from the tracks.
Where to Buy
There are only 100 cases of Rye & Rested American Whiskey available, so distribution is limited. When it is gone, it will not be back until Batch #2 is ready to bottle, and that will be at least one year. It’s available in 750 ml and 200 ml bottles. While it lasts, Rye & Rested can be purchased at:
- The Pinckney Bend Distillery tasting room in New Haven, MO. Thursday – Monday, noon until 6 p.m.
- In the St Louis Metro area, it is avaliable at Lukas Liquor, 15921 Manchester Rd. Ellisville, MO. 636-227-4543
- In Kansas City, it is available at Cellar Rat, 1701 Baltimore Ave., 816-221-9463. Cellar Rat also ships, both in Missouri and out-of-state.
Aug 5, 2014 | Distillery News Stories
Captures Two Medals at International Competition
Pinckney Bend Distillery in New Haven MO was awarded two medals at the prestigious International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) in London. A Silver Medal was awarded to the distillery’s Rested American Whiskey, and a Bronze Medal to its American Gin.
IWSC is the oldest and most respected spirits competition in the world, drawing entrants from over 90 countries. All judges are industry professionals, and only a fraction of the entrants survive its tough testing, tasting and evaluation process.
Ralph Haynes, the distillery’s V.P. of Marketing said, “The IWSC in London is like the World Cup of spirits competitions. For small craft distillers like Pinckney Bend, winning a medal at this venue gives us a rare chance to position ourselves on a world stage, in the company of the most respected spirit brands on the planet”.
Master Distiller Tom Anderson said, “We make Missouri Whiskey, aged in Missouri Oak. Wood is the magic of whiskey, and our barrels are hand made only 40 miles from the distillery. We produced the whiskey, but there are a lot of people who own a piece of this medal.”
Regarding the Bronze Medal awarded to Pinckney Bend’s American Gin, company President Jerry Meyer said, “London is the gin capitol of the world, and a very tough category to compete in. We were the only American gin to win a bronze medal, and we are very proud of that.”
Pinckney Bend spirits can be sampled at the distillery tasting room in Downtown New Haven MO, Thursdays thru Monday, from noon until 6:00PM.
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