Autumn brings a welcome change from summer’s heat and along with it, the opportunity to enjoy not only the landscape’s changing color palate, but also the seasonal harvest of fruits and vegetables. Fall is also a great time to enjoy a refreshing cider or perhaps a seasonal craft-beer. A number of distilleries create seasonal spirits to compliment this special time of the year. Below are a few of our favorite selections from among this year’s offerings.
Great Lakes Distillery, founded in 2004 and Milwaukee’s first distillery since the repeal of prohibition has won wide acclaim and numerous awards for their outstanding small batch, craft-distilled spirits. This year marks the first release of their Pumpkin Seasonal Spirit. Distiller Doug MacKenzie starts with a pumpkin lager made by their local Lakefront Brewery using a recipe that Thomas Jefferson actually used to make beer at Monticello. He pot-stills a whiskey from it and then ages it in a mix of new and old bourbon barrels. The following review is from the Beverage Tasting Institute. “Burnished golden yellow color. Bright, sweet aromas of clove, nutmeg, candied ginger, fruit cake, and pumpkin custard with a dryish medium-to full body and a spicy dusty clove gum and pumpkin cheesecake finish. Very nice. Highly recommended. ” The total production of this distinctive Autumnal spirit is four barrels, but most definitely worth seeking. www.greatlakesdistillery.com
The folks at High West Distillery in Park City Utah offer up their brand new Campfire Whiskey for the fall season. A harmonious blend of straight bourbon whiskey, straight rye whiskey and a blended malt Scotch whisky. This sweet, spicy and smoky whiskey is the perfect accompaniment to autumn’s chill. www.highwest.com
Our Nashville neighbors at Corsair Artisan Distilling in Marathon Village have been working hard to keep up with demand for their Pumpkin Spice Moonshine. Corsair’s resident mixologist, Nick Hansen has created several intriguing cocktails with this seasonal spirit including, The Fall Manhattan, Pumpkin Pie Martini and the Pumpkin Spiced Punch. The punch can be served in a hollowed out pumpkin! Find these recipes and more at www.corsairartisan.com/mixology/recipe-list/
Evan Williams, renowned for their outstanding bourbons has crafted their Cinnamon Reserve Kentucky Liqueur. It is silky smooth with a hint of fire and spice. Enjoy on the rocks or mixed with sparkling cider. This liqueur will certainly perk up your next cup of hot chocolate. www.evanwilliams.com
One of our favorite (and most popular) seasonal spirits is the Fulton’s Harvest Pumpkin Pie Cream Liqueur. Available seasonally from September through November, it has an incredibly smooth, creamy taste that is reminiscent of homemade pumpkin pie, complete with the comforting flavors of vanilla, brown sugar and spice. It is best served chilled, or on the rocks. Add it to your after dinner cup of coffee. Fulton’s can also be blended into a number of cream based cocktails. www.kybourbon.com
