City Times Staff

Great Northern Distilling, based in Plover, has announced its newest spirit, Great Northern Distilling Rye Whiskey.

Referred to as “Paul Bunyan’s pour” by Inc. Magazine in the June 2016 issue, Great Northern Rye is handcrafted in an old East Coast style, but distinctly Midwestern with Wisconsin’s clean, fresh water and locally grown grains.

Great Northern founder and head distiller Brian Cummins explains his inspiration:

“Rye Whiskey was the most popular spirit in America before Prohibition and could be traced back to the founding of our country,” he said. “After repeal, the spirit never fully regained its popularity, and spirits like vodka took hold. With the resurgence in pre-prohibition cocktail culture, I wanted to bring back that older style of Rye, reminiscent of those produced in Maryland and Virginia.”

Cummins said the company uses a “high proportion” of raw rye grain, rye malt rather than barley malt, which gives a more savory, smooth rye flavor, with just a touch of corn for balance.

“The high quality rye grain grown right here in Wisconsin makes a very special spirit and one that we’re enormously proud to make,” he added.

Great Northern Rye Whiskey has proven an early success, according to a news release from the distillery, already the recipient of a silver medal from the American Craft Spirits Competition and featured in such taste-making locations as Christian’s Bistro, Mikey’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill, The Cannery Public Market, The Libertine and Father Fat’s Public House.

Great Northern Rye Whiskey is now available in Wisconsin from General Beverage Sale Company and can be found at such retail outlets as The Bottle Stop, Fish Creek Market, JR Liquor, Niemuth’s Southside Market, Dan’s Liquor, Trig’s and Woodman’s.

Great Northern Distilling is a Wisconsin-based craft distillery focused on making small batch, smooth spirits from fresh ingredients sourced from within 150 miles of the distillery. Other products include Potato Vodka, Herbalist Gin, Vanguard Whiskey, Opportunity Rum and Rye Whiskey.

Great Northern is a member of the Central Wisconsin Craft Collective and open for public tours on Saturdays at 1 PM, 2 PM and 3 PM. A mixology bar on site is open for cocktails Wednesday through Friday 4 PM until 10 PM and Saturdays 1 PM to 10 PM.

Great Northern Distillery is located in Plover’s Village Park, 1740 Park Ave.

For more information, call 715-544-6551 or like the business on Facebook.