In the world of spirits, American made holds clout. As America celebrates irs 250th birthday this year, it’s as good a time as ever to be proud of the spirits we produce in the U.S.A.
Bourbon can only be made in the United States, of course, but American spirits production is far more diverse than that. Even as the industry has faced economic headwinds in recent years, there are still more than 2,000 active craft distilleries in the country today, according to the American Craft Spirits Association. It’s a staggering figure which collectively produces a tantalizing, near-boundless range of products to sample.
Consider that American single malt whiskey is now a legally defined category, rye whiskey is thriving, there’s no shortage of American-made vodka from all smatterings of ingredients, and American gin has been at the forefront of a global expansion for the category. Karl Finegan, the founder of The Ivory Peacock, has had a front-row seat for the latter’s growth, as he has amassed 1,200 distinct expressions of gin at his Manhattan bar, making it the second-largest collection in the world. “We’re building something that’s both destination worthy and locally rooted,” Finegan says. “And our space celebrates authenticity at every turn.”
Authenticity is crucial in the sometimes convoluted world of spirits production, which is why a helping hand goes a long way when it comes to sorting through the clutter. “Over the last few years, there have been a lot of new gins emerging from the United States — we probably have 300-plus American gins, and that list is growing daily,” Finegan says.
When you’re searching for the best American-made spirits — including those you may not yet know about — rely on the guidance of pros such as Finegan along with our own spirits squad of professional tasters to help you make the most of America’s wonderful, exciting spirituous wares.
Woodinville Whiskey Co.
You know that bourbon has to be made in the U.S., but there’s still some confusion about whether or not it can be made outside of Kentucky. Yes, it absolutely can, and there are fantastic craft producers from sea to shining sea. One of my favorites is Washington state’s Woodinville Whiskey Co., a grain-to-glass producer known for both bourbon and rye, as well as standout finishes, such as port and moscatel casks. As opposed to many craft producers where you pay a premium for the small producer privilege, Woodinville’s products are priced to move. Their flagship Straight Bourbon clocks in with a six-year age statement, and just got outfitted with a snazzy new bottle.
Laird’s Apple Brandy
France has Calvados, but the U.S. has its own apple brandy, too, and it stretches as far back as when the states were still colonies. George Washington — yup, that guy — who was a distiller amid assorted leisure pursuits, requested the Laird family’s recipe in 1760. The Monmouth County New Jersey distillery continues producing a range of products today, including applejack, which is blended with neutral spirits, as well as 100% straight apple brandy. Try the Laird’s Straight Apple Brandy Bottled in Bond, or the Laird’s Old Apple Brandy 7 1/2 year old.
Wonderbird Spirits No. 97 Magnolia Experimental
American gins have flourished over the past two decades, and one of the more unique entrants available today hails from Mississippi. That’s thanks to its production process and base ingredients, as it’s made from jasmine rice. “Rob Forester of Wonderbird Spirits is doing something entirely different —and fascinating — by fermenting Mississippi Delta-grown jasmine rice to create a beautifully clean base that allows botanicals to truly sing,” Finegan says. Each botanical is then distilled individually before being blended together, “creating a gin that’s floral without being perfumed, with subtle spice.” He recommends sipping it neat or deploying it in a martini.
Tamworth Distilling
As the creator of Hendrick’s, Steven Grasse knows a thing or two about creative gins. At his Tamworth Distilling in New Hampshire, he’s decided to really let his imagination go wild by producing a series of limited-edition spirits showcasing some of the oddest, locally tied and nature-centric ingredients you could conjure in the House of Tamworth series. Saison De Frai was a smoked trout flavored brandy; Crab Trapper was flavored with green crabs; Bird of Courage with turkey; and Eau de Musc with beaver castoreum, or the castor sac oil that has been used in the perfuming industry. The creativity is off the charts, though these offerings are always made with intention and generally sound far stranger than they taste.
Whiskey Del Bac Dorado
Smoky Scotch gets its signature robust flavor from peat. At Whiskey Del Bac in Tucson, Arizona, they use mesquite smoke instead. The result is a punch of pure American flavor that calls to mind a heaping plate of barbecue and the expanse of the American Southwest writ large. The distillery has honed its balance and production over the years and the current Dorado is the best yet, while its limited-edition Distiller’s Cut series featuring assorted cask finishes and experiments is highly coveted as well. They aren’t the only ones using mesquite smoke, either, with Santa Fe Spirits and Balcones Distilling also offering this signature slice-of-Americana smoke.
Breuckelen Distilling Company Glorious Gin
New York state corn is the case ingredient for Breuckelen Distilling’s well-named Glorious Gin. “The botanical lineup — juniper, lemon peel, grapefruit peel, ginger, and rosemary — creates a gin that’s bright, layered, and expressive,” Finegan says. “On the palate, you get an immediate citrus lift balanced by herbal depth and a gentle warming spice. The finish carries notes of bitter citrus zest and hints of ginger.” He suggests using this one in a gin & tonic, although it’s sturdy enough for a martini or negroni as well. Perhaps try it in a 100% American-made negroni with Bruto Americano and Lo-Fi Sweet Vermouth.
St George Bruto Americano
Campari is a singular product that has achieved global renown. But it falls into the larger family of bitter aperitivos, and at St. George Spirits in Alameda, California, they decided to create their own American riff. Bruto Americano has the sultry red hue that one craves for this type of product, with a bitter, citrus-forward profile that’s tailor made for all of your favorite cocktails. For true spirits aficionados, St. George produces a range of inimitable products you’ll want to dabble with: one of the hands down best American single malts on the market with its Lot series; Terroir Gin made with Douglas fir and foraged Bay Area botanicals; and their beloved Spiced Pear Liqueur, among others.
Lo-Fi Aperitifs
Italy is the historic home of amaro, while vermouth is most well known from Italy, France, and Spain. Lo-Fi Aperitifs asked why not us? They produce a range of American-made offerings, including a Sweet Vermouth, Dry Vermouth, and Gentian Amaro, with the creative input of the aforementioned Grasse also coming into play once again. Each fits into its overarching category while standing out as distinctive and worthy of consideration. The Gentian Amaro, in particular, is pure fun in a bottle, and you’ll relish the opportunity of trying something new. Sip it neat or deploy in a spritz or any number of cocktail variations.
Osocalis Distillery
California wine has long had its moment in the spotlight, and even the stodgiest of old world wine lovers will be forced to admit how stellar such offerings can be at their best. At Osocalis Distillery, founded in 1990, distilling mastermind Dan Farber produces American brandy made from those same California wine grapes and terroir, displaying a deft touch with traditional French production methodology that few in the U.S. have so capably conquered. Farber may not toot his own horn as much as he should, but has an incredible assortment of well-honed, world-class grape brandy at his disposal. Buy it if you see it, with products such as Osocalis XO Alembic Brandy.
Westland Distillery Garryana
Westland Distillery is one of the producers that led the push to establish the legal, regulated category of American single malt whiskey, and there’s no better place to dive into the category. With its Garryana series, the distillery brings its American-made ethos even further by using a type of oak native to the Pacific Northwest that adds an entirely different flavor dimension, with spicy, rich notes ranging from smoky BBQ to jammy red fruits. The distillery released a 10th-anniversary edition last fall. For another taste of Americana, nab a bottle from its Solum series, which focuses on the use of American peat, rather than relying on Scottish peat or peated Scottish malt.
Privateer Rum
The history of American drinking culture features strong ties not only to our founding fathers, but to the metaphorical political winds and literal trading routes of the days. So there’s a long history of drinking rum from the Caribbean. Now, though, a producer such as Privateer in Massachusetts has shown that high-quality, made-in-the-U.S.A. offerings deserve global recognition. Their products are unsweetened and unadulterated, letting the 100% Grade A molasses speak for itself. Try the perfect True American Bottled in Bond Rum, patiently aged in full-size American oak barrels and delivering a rich, but real, profile.
Desert Door Texas Sotol
Agave comes from Mexico, doesn’t it? Well the Sonoran desert knows no political boundaries, and agave also grows in similar climates throughout the world. Sotol, meanwhile, is considered part of the agave family of spirits, although the plant itself is not actually an agave. But I digress. Long story short: Desert Door in Texas uses locally abundant Texas sotol to produce an agave-like spirit that tequila and mezcal lovers should seek out. It’s also the rare sustainable choice in this fraught category, as it’s entirely wild harvested. Expect savory, grassy-green flavors, along with vanilla undertones.
Featured image courtesy of Quaker City Mercantile.
