Old Forge Distillery releases Tennessee focused spirits

Head Distiller Keener Shanton picks local muscadine grapes. Image courtesy of Old Forge Distillery.

PIGEON FORGE, TN – Old Forge Distillery has released two Tennessee-focused collections of spirits with the rollout of Tennessee Roots, hand-crafted spirits inspired by local flavor and distilled from locally grown ingredients, and Distiller’s Select, a craft cocktail-focused line of neutral grain spirits infused with locally grown fruits and spices.

“While we were already using Tennessee grown non-GMO corn for our moonshine, these new releases allow us to further focus on local flavor and incorporate a wider variety of locally grown ingredients,” said Head Distiller Keener Shanton.

The first release in the Tennessee Roots collection is Harvest Gin, a 92 proof gin distilled from local muscadine grapes grown in Dandridge, TN, that are picked, crushed, and fermented locally. Shanton redistills the base spirit over gin botanicals which include orange, lemon peels and juniper, and then ages the gin in a Tennessee bourbon barrel. Once the gin has aged, it is filtered with local mountain spring water.

Hand-picked by Shanton, the Distiller’s Select collection is a unique flavor combination of fruits and spices infused in neutral grain spirit that are meant to be enjoyed over ice or as a cocktail base. The three initial flavor releases, all presented at 92-proof, include: Peach Habanero, Orange Rosemary and Cherry Basil, and incorporate locally sourced ingredients like habanero peppers which are grown locally and rosemary and basil which are harvested directly from gardens in Old Mill Square.

“We wanted an offering that played into the craft cocktail movement, whether that’s a bartender or a cocktail enthusiast who likes to experiment with flavor at home,” Shanton said. “We’re proud to be made in Tennessee and will continue to source local ingredients whenever possible.”

The new Tennessee-focused collections are now on shelf at Old Forge Distillery and local stores in Knoxville.

Just a few yards away from where the Old Mill Head Miller grinds, fills, and ties bags of stone-ground, quality grains is the Old Forge Distillery. It’s here, in a 100-year-old building made of Tennessee timber, that freshly ground grain is distilled with pure mountain spring water. In addition to its award-winning moonshine, Old Forge has released bourbon, vodka and rum. For more information on Old Forge Distillery (170 Old Mill Ave, Pigeon Forge, TN) including tastings, products and recipes visit www.oldforgedistillery.com.

Published October 31, 2016