Seeing inside MGP Distillery in Indiana is like experiencing Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. It’s not open to the public, so very few people have seen inside. But I was recently invited to tour the legendary campus and learn about MGP Distillery’s whiskey brands. MGP Distillery is known — or oftentimes, not known — as the distillery behind some of the country’s most popular whiskey brands. Often those labeled as “from a craft distillery” are actually sourced from MGP. And in 2016 MGP add their own brands to the mix.
Here’s a closer look at MGP Distillery’s whiskey brands.
Exploring MGP Distillery’s Whiskey Brands
All of MGP’s brands are made by a team of master blenders and master distillers who emphasize the team mentality of creating these spirits. And getting the opportunity to taste my way through all of these while sitting next to them was unbelievably memorable!
MGP Distillery’s whiskey is all non-chill filtered and barreled at 120 proof (but the resulting bottling proofs vary). They are currently available in 14 states with hopes to eventually reach the entire United States.
Rossville Union Rye
“MGP is an acronym for rye,” Vice President of Brands Andrew Mansinne explained at the beginning of our MGP Distillery tour. MGP is the country’s largest producer of rye whiskey and is known for producing some of the best. They bottle their own under the Rossville Union label: Rossville Union Straight Rye and Barrel Proof. “Wherever on that savory, sweet, and spicy scale you want to be, Rossville has a bottle for it,” Andrew said.
The Rossville Union name pays homage to the first distillery on the now-MGP site: Rossville Distillery. George Ross opened Rossville Distillery in 1847, making MGP one of Lawrenceburg’s original distilleries — and the only one still making whiskey.
Rossville Union Straight Rye
Master Blender David Whitmer said the inspiration behind Rossville Union Straight Rye was to “purposely put together a rye whiskey that was approachable. It’s great in a cocktail but perfect just to sip or put on the rocks.” Instead of numbering the releases in meaningless batches, the label lists the number of barrels in each bottling. This release is a blend of 159 barrels, all aged five to seven years and bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV).
Rossville Union Straight Rye is spicy on the nose but less spicy on the palate, with plenty of clove and pine notes. The palate is heavy with caramel, vanilla, and toffee notes with a bold rye spice and a hint of smoke. It was easily enjoyable and I instantly liked it.
Rossville Union Barrel Proof
For those who like a higher proof, Rossville Union Barrel Proof adds to the high ABV group of MGP Distillery’s whiskey collection. Bottled at 112.6 proof (56.3% ABV), it’s one of the few barrel proof ryes on the market. This one is a blend of 83 barrels and a combination of different mash bills.
The end result is a pretty nose with lots of pickle notes and a bold, spicy palate. Again, there’s hints of smoke with baking spices, plus a lingering spice finish.
George Remus Bourbon
On the bourbon end of MGP Distillery’s whiskey is the George Remus brand. Named after the notorious Prohibition bootlegger who made millions sneaking whiskey from what is now MGP Distillery into Chicago, George Remus is said to be the King of the Bootleggers.
George Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey
It’s no surprise the distillery synonymous with rye makes bourbon with a high rye content and a very rye-esque flavor. Master Blender David Whitmer described the George Remus Straight Bourbon as “high alcohol content with a lot of flavor.”
Bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV), George Remus is a combination of two high-rye mash bills aged over five years. It’s another one great by itself or in a cocktail. During the tasting, someone mentioned it smells like a bourbon but tastes a lot like rye. I got lots of burnt sugar, caramel, and hints of dill, with cinnamon and chocolate.
George Remus Repeal Reserve
Upping the ante on bourbon is the Remus Repeal Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Because it changes every year, this bottling gives the master blenders a chance to play around. The limited editions are released on George Remus’ birthday on November 13th.
This year’s, Series III, is a combination of two mash bills from the 2007 and 2008 vintages. The percentage of each vintage is listed on the bottle. This series is 100 proof and, David explained, is “a little sweeter than [Series] two. A lot like [Series] one but higher proof.”
It was my favorite of the day. Straight vanilla and maple with caramel on the nose, with candied fruits, smoke, leather, and spice on the palate.
Remus Volstead Reserve
Actually, I lied. My true favorite from the tasting at MGP Distillery was the Remus Volstead Reserve. The bottled-in-bond bourbon is a one-time release aged 14 years. Releasing November 2019, it commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the Volstead Act, which started Prohibition. And it just so happens that its age roughly correlates with the length of Prohibition.
It’s absolutely beautiful. Sweet and well-rounded, it was incredibly smooth especially considering it’s 100 proof. Lots of oak, with cherry and caramel notes, with a little char, chocolate, and baking spice. Just 6,000 bottles will be released of this, so hunt it down if you can and give it a try!
Eight & Sand Blended Bourbon
Blended whiskey, especially American style, has a bad reputation. But MGP knew that they could blend a bourbon that would be worthy of drinking, so they created a legal definition with the TTB. (The TTB is the U.S. agency that regulates alcohol.) Now blended bourbon legally means it must be at least 51% bourbon, no neutral grain spirits, no caramel coloring, and no added sugars.
And of course they added a blended bourbon to MGP Distillery’s whiskey brands: Eight & Sand. “It’s a way to put everything we have together at a nice reasonable price point,” Master Blender David Whitmer explained. In addition to the majority bourbon (a high-rye mashbill, of course), there’s rye, light whiskey (aged in a used barrel), and corn whiskey (also aged in a used barrel). All of it is aged 6-7 years, with the light whiskey being “up in the eights.”
At 88 proof, it’s made for cocktails, but David confessed it’s great for cooking. (Good to know!) And the Eight & Sand story? The saying is an old railroad phrase meaning “smooth sailing.”
Till American Wheat Vodka
Oh yeah, MGP Distillery makes vodka, too. I’ve always put vodka on the bottom of my list of drinkable spirits, but I admit being surprised by Till. Made from 100% wheat grown in Kansas, Till vodka actual has some flavor to it. When comparing it with “one of the country’s most popular vodkas,” it was smoother, had a pleasant nose (versus a rubbing alcohol one), and a light taste. We also had Till in several cocktails and it was enjoyable! (And that’s really saying something in my book!)
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MGP’s master blenders have been experts at creating great whiskey for years and their brands are excellent reflections of that expertise. Plus they’re creating interesting limited releases that only adds to the fun of exploring MGP Distillery’s whiskey.
Related :: Touring MGP Distillery in Indiana, Exploring Tullibardine’s Marquess Collection, and Visiting J. Henry Whiskey Farm
