Grand Traverse Distillery - Bourbon release

[Bourbon Boiler]

GTD is releasing their first ever bourbon. It's a single barrel, because they only made one barrel. It will be bottled at 92 proof.

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=yevwawcab&v=001KKT2fJZ6zHOOqheTbDnAWH5H37loDJ5_RdfRWmZwHJctktWhcLOX7riCVczHQwpPkKwff4Eh_xtCCg94v2YoeQbUfiHuf-2ih0pu7XzMm34%3D

I enjoyed their current rye, "Old George".

[Bourbon Boiler]

I am told this is 70% corn, 20% rye, 10% barley.

[jburlowski]

From the label, I'm assuming it's not a straight bourbon. Do they use standard (53 gallon) barrels?

[Josh]

From the label, I'm assuming it's not a straight bourbon. Do they use standard (53 gallon) barrels?

[Bourbon Boiler]

When I was there in July, they were using 53 gallon barrels for the rye. I didn't specifically look or ask, but I assume the bourbon is the same.

[StraightBoston]

The only missing piece from the label seems to be the age -- couldn't be four years by my count, and therefore needs to be stated!

[Josh]

On the website they say it is 100% straight bourbon, but based on previous experience, I'm not sure they are clear on the legal definition of straight.

The only missing piece from the label seems to be the age -- couldn't be four years by my count, and therefore needs to be stated!

See above.

:fish2: :fish2: :fish2: :fish2:

[awachatz]

I find it interesting that they will make you your own barrel of whiskey. All you need to due to indicate the mashbill. Will have to try it this summer.

[Bourbon Boiler]

I find it interesting that they will make you your own barrel of whiskey. All you need to due to indicate the mashbill. Will have to try it this summer.

Well worth it. They also have a large list of various whiskeys and their supposed mashbills, so you can try to replicate what you like. I tried to create things that weren't available just to experiment a bit.

[Finnagain]

I was there in August and got 2 bottles of the bourbon. Very heavy on the corn character and surprisingly little barrel character. Unique. I assume the mash bill is the same as for their white dog, which tastes and smells like a corn muffin lol. They told me they use 100% corn in the white dog, no rye or 6-row. They convert the corn with enzymes. The moonshine I've had is more neutral than the GTD white dog.

[GaryT]

Is this "Traverse City Whiskey Co - Straight Bourbon Whiskey" (86 proof)? Sorry - the original link is busted. I tried this at KBF and it sounds like the same thing. I was surprised it was labeled straight bourbon as it tasted very corny/green (although not unpleasant if you like that sort of thing). Very smooth, but very little character from the barrel.

Edited September 26, 2012 by darylld911
typos

[Tony]

Is this "Traverse City Whiskey Co - Straight Bourbon Whiskey" (86 proof)? Sorry - the original link is busted. I tried this at KBF and it sounds like the same thing. I was surprised it was labeled straight bourbon as it tasted very corny/green (although not unpleasant if you like that sort of thing). Very smooth, but very little character from the barrel.

I see you remember the best bottle on the table. That was their Ole George Rye - http://www.grandtraversedistillery.com/whiskey/whiskey.html

They do also have a bourbon, but Karry and I really were not taken away with it which is why we brought the Rye.

Best regards, Tony

[Josh]

Is this "Traverse City Whiskey Co - Straight Bourbon Whiskey" (86 proof)? Sorry - the original link is busted. I tried this at KBF and it sounds like the same thing. I was surprised it was labeled straight bourbon as it tasted very corny/green (although not unpleasant if you like that sort of thing). Very smooth, but very little character from the barrel.

No, Amy brought that. That's LDI stuff. There are video reviews of both the Ole George Rye and the Traverse City Whiskey Co. Bourbon on some website I can't remember now.

Edited September 26, 2012 by Josh

[Tony]

So there was some of their Bourbon there, apologies I did not see that.

Best regards, Tony

[GaryT]

Actually before someone brought it to the table, we tried it at Xavier's Pub "small craft/artisan tasting" on Thursday afternoon. But yes, that's the same bottle I was referring to.

[Josh]

So there was some of their Bourbon there, apologies I did not see that.

Best regards, Tony

Actually before someone brought it to the table, we tried it at Xavier's Pub "small craft/artisan tasting" on Thursday afternoon. But yes, that's the same bottle I was referring to.

The reason for the confusion is the names. The Traverse City Whiskey Co. Bourbon is not from Grand Traverse Distillery. The Traverse City Whiskey Co is a group of folks who are currently selling sourced whiskey, but say they are in the process of building a distillery in Empire, Michigan. It's bottled by a micro distiller in Chelsea, MI.

[GaryT]

Aaaahhh - that makes sense. I was wondering why Traverse City was suddenly becoming a beacon for distillation

[Josh]

Aaaahhh - that makes sense. I was wondering why Traverse City was suddenly becoming a beacon for distillation

It's a beacon for tourism, especially of the wine kind. Old Mission Pennisula is basically a part of Traverse City, and is one of the finest wine-producing regions in the Eastern US. It's also beautiful in the summertime. The Beer dudes followed the winos, and now the distillers are moving in.

[Bourbon Boiler]

It's a beacon for tourism, especially of the wine kind. Old Mission Pennisula is basically a part of Traverse City, and is one of the finest wine-producing regions in the Eastern US. It's also beautiful in the summertime. The Beer dudes followed the winos, and now the distillers are moving in.

It's a great summer destination for the beaches, lakes, very late sunsets, and the wineries. It's a great winter destination if you're into snowmobiles, but I imagine the wineries don't so well.

[GaryT]

I think the last time I was in that part of the state I was under 16, so I never got to see those sights - but I do remember loving the beaches all along the west coast of Michigan. I remember camping nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes and thinking those were the coolest thing in the world. Unfortunately whenever we get back to Michigan, it is to visit family in the southeast corner :frown: