mgp distillery tour

Camper English | The nose is fairly classic bourbon with plenty of caramel and just the right amount of fragrant oak. For years it has focused on producing quality spirits for other brands and have enjoyed sitting just out of the glow of the intense spotlight that has been shining on the flourishing spirits industry in recent years. MGP invited a small group of whiskey writers to tour the distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and spend a few days exploring Covington, Kentucky. While the exact reasons for Seagrams beverage empire dissolving are numerous and complex, the sale of the company was relatively straightforward. But its outright mind-blowing when I realized that wasnt the only fermentation room! Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Welcome to New York City's largest wine & spirits store online. E. Seagram Lawrenceburg Plant.. The MGP distillery has been around since 1847, under various different owners, most famously Seagram's, whose name still adorns the facade. Early history behind the plant and distilling operations in this part of Indiana can be found in many different online articles. March 15, 2021 at 08:14 AM. That's very convenient as in the hot summers the water is still cool to run through the condensers. Related ::Touring High West Distillery in Utah, Glengoyne Distillery in Scotland, and Teeling Distillery in Dublin. These companies typically have one thing in common; they have a large umbrella corporation that theyre under that increases their buying power. There seems to be a widely held rumor that the distillate has changed from what was being produced during the LDI days compared to what is being produced today under MGPI ownership. But thats not to say all those brands are the same whiskey. Yeah, it's not my jam either. Therefore each level of the warehouse would remain more or less the same temperature. I wouldnt have even known we were at a distillery if not for the bottles of bourbon and rye perched on a shelf above a row of official-looking binders in the gate house. With the technological advances of the 20th century being realized at everything from automobile manufacturing to computers, Seagrams found itself with the opportunity to lean out their production by becoming fully automated in 1998. They also have a wheat whiskey mashbill that has already been bottled by a few NDPs (such as Backbone Bourbon) and instantly showcased its captivating potential despite still being young. But to truly understand the modern-day history of the distillery at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, you must first look back to 1933. The sea of fermentors and the number of gallons of each one was hard to comprehend. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. MGP Distillery Whiskey Tasting with Master Blender Pam Soule . MGP Ingredients Distillery in Indiana - YouTube Instagram Story: Visit to MGP Ingredients Distillery in Indiana Instagram Story: Visit to MGP Ingredients Distillery in Indiana. Snapped during the 'Rickhouse Barrel Thieving' tour at Bardstown Bourbon Co. Their company owns Angel's Envy, Bulleit, High West, Redemption, and Whistlepig Whiskey, among other brands. But I was recently invited to tour the legendary campus and learn about MGP Distillerys whiskey brands. |. Next, the expansion team looked within their home state and found a massive warehouse in Sunman, Indiana that was previously owned by international packaging company Deufol. It has all that lovely pickle brine flavor but bottled at 56.3% ABV. MGP is the largest supplier of sourced, aged whiskey in America for the many companies that dont actually distill themselves (Non-Distilling Producers or NDPs), and theyre also a contract distilling powerhouse, working with customers from the earliest stages of the whiskey-making process. The distillerys new business model was now to make whiskey (and other spirits) that would be sold to other companies for them to bottle under their own label. Now blended bourbon legally means it must be at least 51% bourbon, no neutral grain spirits, no caramel coloring, and no added sugars. In 2014, 3 years after MGP first took over the operations of the Lawrenceburg plant, they bottled a limited release of their own bourbon for the first ever Lawrenceburg Whiskey City Festival. Hi, I'm Kelli Nakagama, the whiskey-obsessed travel fanatic behind Whiskied Wanderlust, a whiskey and travel site based in Chicago. Having also tasted the first, 94 proof release, I have to say I preferred its softer, more nuanced quality a little more. Barrel Craft Spirits recently announced Floridas Bluebird Hardwater recently launched Something went wrong. That higher pH aids in fermentation. Upping the ante on bourbon is the Remus Repeal Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Check out the Whiskey Tribe to stay updated on all the official distillery events and news. They also make a ton of bourbon and neutral spirit used for vodka and gin. Our tour of MGPs massive operation included a bit of a history lesson on the town of Lawrenceburg, Indiana. GNS are primarily used for blending or to make vodka and gins (Fun Fact #2: MGPI is the largest distiller of gin on the continent). For the first time ever, MGPI would now have their bourbon bottled from barrels that the customers would hand-pick. A lot like [Series] one but higher proof.. The aging barrels are stacked vertically, one upon the other, in imposing towers above our heads. Its hard to put a number on just how many modern-day whiskey drinkers fell in love with bourbon or rye whiskey because of a product that the Lawrenceburg Distillery had produced. My day at MGP concluded with a full tasting of MGPs complete portfolio. Copyright 2020 Kelli Nakagama. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Basically it removes iron and sulphur (two things that will taint fermented products) and has a high calcium content that results in a higher pH. Four Roses rounds down their low and high rye bourbon mashbill to 20% rye for E mashbills and 35% for B mashbills whereas MGPIs ryed bourbon mashbills are often quoted as 21% for E mashbills and 36% for the B.. Its a way to put everything we have together at a nice reasonable price point, Master Blender David Whitmer explained. I got lots of burnt sugar, caramel, and hints of dill, with cinnamon and chocolate. Whats up with that limestone-filtered water? Light whiskey was created as a product that would bridge the gap between the ever-increasing popularity of vodka and more traditional full bodied whiskies. "We make a lot," came the definitive reply. But in 1962, the government was persuaded by the industry to allow a new set of guidelines for distilling bourbon to bring up the maximum distillation proof to 160 and the maximum barrel entry proof to be 125. The distillery closes at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve. MGP continues the legacy as one of Lawrenceburgs original distilleries and the only one still producing whiskey. With such a long history of producing quality whiskies, its no wonder Lawrenceburg takes special pride in its nickname, Whiskey City., The former Seagrams distillery in Indiana, now the home to MGP (image via Prairie Rose/The Whiskey Wash). Whisky Brands That Are Made at MGP. View our large selection of wines, spirits, and sake. Save 80% Off on your MGP Discount Code & Deals purchase with the MGP Discount Code & Deals coupons. Yet there are no manicured grounds, no craft cocktail bar, no tours and no visitors allowed. Like the standard Remus, the nose is oak-forward, but thats tempered some with a sweet chocolate note. Eight & Sand blended whiskey is the newest product. This is unlike the "vertical aging chamber" rickhouses in Kentucky where it's an open model (there's a frame on the outside but it acts as one big room) and the bottom level is cool while the top floor is super hot. Questions surround every barrel at MGPI. Lawrenceburg Distillers Indiana (LDI) is the former Seagrams distiller which was acquired by MGP in late 2011 forming MGPI. Footer sidebar. MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ducks Unlimited (DU . The company was sold to Pernod-Ricard and owned by them until 2007, when it was purchased by MGP. 2 spirits were outsourced from MGP in Indiana to get them started, however Glenn's Creek finished aging them in the barrels and 2 are 100% theirs from start to finish. Fortunately during this time, the recipes, facilities and yeast remained the same. Seagrams also produced a large amount of light whiskey at its Canadian distilleries with the Valleyfield Distillery in Quebec still producing large amounts of it for Diageo today. The company was purchased by Seagram in 1933 and has changed hands a few times since then.</p> <p>The company makes most of the country's rye-based whiskeys, along with a wide range of other spirits . One of the most impressive parts of the plant that we visited was the control room a monitor-filled war room, of sorts. After Pernod Ricards purchase of LDI, the bond with Four Roses may have been broken, but they soon found themselves collaborating with the other distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky: Wild Turkey (Pernod Ricard had purchased WT in the 1980s). Just 6,000 bottles will be released of this, so hunt it down if you can and give it a try! The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Beginning in 2023, the entire family of Daviess County Bourbon variants will be designated as Proud Partner of Ducks Unlimited. In a podcast from a couple years ago, Jim Rutledge, the former master distiller of Four Roses, elaborated on the fact that quality control teams between both Seagrams and Four Roses would test each others yeast strains to verify that no genetic drift was occurring. When Americans taste for whiskey declined after Prohibition, Seagrams bought Rossville Distillery in 1933. The palate is rich and oily, and continues the classic trend with plenty of rye spice, vanilla, and clove. This brought to light a fact that rye whiskey that was not labeled as straight was allowed to have a certain percentage of flavor or color enhancers added in, cheapening the allure of how whiskey traditionally got its taste. This made bourbon much fuller and richer than the younger bourbons that are found on the market today. No ownership change is complete without a headache or two. MGP itself is a company founded in 1941 to make high-test alcohol for torpedos to support the war effort. Records indicate that distilling has occurred on the site for more than 200 years, beginning first in 1808. About Our Company; Branded Spirits; Facilities & Certifications; News Releases; Social Responsibility; Our People. Its well-balanced and an easy sipper. The creamy palate has plenty of body for a good martini and is full of clean, vanilla notes that dissolve into a slight citrus finish. While outwardly less industrial than I anticipated, the check-in procedure at the distillery was something more akin to visiting a power plant. Drinkhacker was invited to one of these media days recently, so I got a chance to experience this proverbial Chocolate Factory first hand. Diageos long-term contract with Pernod Ricard to make these spirits kept the distillery in the black while also having the capacity to seek other brands to produce for. They make a range of different kinds of spirits, with a focus on a variety of types of whiskey . After our tour, we tasted a range of aged whiskies, including its new release, George Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and a preview of its most recent launch, Remus Repeal Reserve, in honor of Repeal Day, December 5. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The third letter S is believed to stand for Straight Whiskey but in reality stands for distilled Spirit. The fourth letter stands for the strain of yeast that was used. Old Fourth Distillery was launched by five friends (two of whom are also brothers) in 2013 with the aid of a Kickstarter campaign. Rossville Union Rye "MGP is an acronym for rye," Vice President of Brands Andrew Mansinne explained at the beginning of our MGP Distillery tour. So what exactly was the makeup of 7 Crown? MGPI swung open their doors and the barrels began to roll out. We visited one warehouse - there are seven on-site and I think 5 more elsewhere (though I'm not confident in those numbers). Lawrenceburg, Indianas location right on the Ohio River provides easy and cheap transportation channels to move products up and down the Mississippi River to the East Coast, it also sets above a massive underground limestone shelf that spans across much of the state of Kentucky and provides the water necessary to make a great whiskey. Plus theyre creating interesting limited releases that only adds to the fun of exploring MGP Distillerys whiskey. The other distillery, located in Atchison, Kansas (the site of the company headquarters where it was founded) distills neutral spirits and makes gin. Nose: This is a caramel bomb on notes of oak, vanilla . The Vodka Distillery Industry in the United States (2016-2021) and industry outlook (2021-2026). During this timeframe when the American sourced-whiskey industry was in its infancy, rules werent clearly established and improper labeling was commonplace among smaller bottlers. (The TTB is the U.S. agency that regulates alcohol.) Every distiller in Kentucky has been dumping millions of dollars into pristine landscaping, educational tours and new facilities to give each distillery its own unique appeal and lure to the tourists and whiskey enthusiasts alike. Rossville Union, MGPs rye brand, is named after the original Lawrenceburg distillery, Rossville Distillery. Price per Drink (50 mL): $4.00. Releasing November 2019, it commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the Volstead Act, which started Prohibition. Bourbon and Rye (New Riff Distilling), Old Scenter Bourbon and Rye (Strong Spirits for R. Griesedieck Distilling), Preamble Bourbon and Rye (Seven Jars Distillery), Rebellion Bourbon (Market Street Spirits newer batches), Redemption Bourbon & Rye (Bardstown Barrel Selections), Riverboat Rye (Bardstown Barrel Selections), Rough Rider Bourbon & Rye (Long Island Spirits), Ryskie Rye Whiskey (Glenns Creek Distilling), Sagamore Spirit Rye (Distilled Spirits Epicenter), Single Track Rye (Range and River Distilling), Smokin Joes Bourbon & Rye (PA Private Label Spirits), Smooth Ambler Old Scout Bourbon, Rye and Corn Whiskey (Smooth Ambler), Spirit of America Bourbon (Hobson & Roberts), Spring Mill Bourbon (Heartland Distillers), Stave & Barrel Bourbon (Glenns Creek Distilling), Temperance Trader (American Whiskey and some bourbon; Bull Run Distilling), Temptation Bourbon (Bardstown Barrel Selections), The Saloon Bourbon & Rye (PA Private Label Spirits), Troubadour Bourbon (The Original Texas Legend Distillery), Untitled No. While theyre pretty tight-lipped on the subject, its a safe estimate that their whiskey has been labeled under more than 120 different brands, all of which should have the tell-tale Distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana on the label. Before jumping into the history of the Pernod Ricard ownership era, it is important to look at the link between Seagrams ownership of both the Four Roses plant in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky and the Seagrams plant at Lawrenceburg, Indiana. After much research into this theory, there seems to be no change in the distillation process, grain sources, mashbills or aging techniques. MSRP: $50 (2019) Official Website. Just like that, the home of the Remus Bourbon and Rossville Union brands had a brand of its own. Even the Tennessee distilleries have embraced the whiskey tourism. Simply put, every barrel thats over 6 years old has been spoken for inside of their warehouses. Heres a closer look at MGPs whiskey brands. The distillery was formerly owned by Seagrams, which was the propertys longest tenant to date. It also seems likely that the 5 whiskey brands they currently bottle in-house will expand as their wheated bourbon comes of age (its currently around 7 years old now). Its an old train phrase meaning smooth sailing.. MGP, best known for its Lawrenceburg, Indiana distillery, has agreed to acquire whiskey and spirits company Luxco for a whopping $475 million. Purchase Info: This sample was provided by the producer for review purposes. Master distiller Greg Metze is the most underrated distiller of our day. The distillery was opened in 1847 , and has undergone such significant upgrades, expansions, and modifications over the years that little of the original remains. Not only was the labeling incorrect, it was deemed to be outright false. Midwest Grain Products bought the distillery in 2011, hence the current name. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. This includes around 80-85% of the market's rye, according to MGP estimates. "MGP" stands for "Midwest Grain Products," one of the largest distillery operations in the United States, located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. The press trip I took to the distillery was more about introducing these products to the world than the various client brands made here, but naturally that was of interest too. George Ross opened Rossville Distillery in 1847, making MGP one of Lawrenceburgs original distilleries and the only one still making whiskey. Its the first distillery tour Ive ever been on where I received an ID badge and hard hat, and we were instructed to keep our phones turned off in certain locations. When it comes to the vodka, theirs is made from wheat, when most of their clients' vodka is made from corn. Actually, I lied. The scientists at Seagrams also implemented other practices across their brands that achieved more consistent and flavorful profiles such as using barrel entry proof of 120 for their whiskey (which both Four Roses and MGPI still utilize to this day) and building their warehouses either as single-story units or with the attributes of a single story unit, like the multi-story concrete floored warehouses at Lawrenceburg, IN. That is, until recently. 7 Crown was so popular world-wide that it was unofficially the first brand of whiskey to claim the world record of 1 million cases sold followed later on by the first to sell 100 million cases (in the 1970s) and first to sell 300 million cases (1983). This prevents automated programs from posting comments. Metzes Select was a limited release (6,000 bottles) of 3 different bourbons of various ages and mashbills that was bottled at a rather mild 93 proof. Despite their status in the industry, MGP has never opened its doors to the public and theyve seldom commented on their operations. Everything from industrial alcohol to vodka is produced there, but lately it's become best known for its bourbon and rye. It makes for a more mellow whiskey. The story of how 5 Crown and 7 Crown got their names is not because of how many different whiskey recipes went into the finished product, instead, they came about when Mr. Sam was presented with multiple varieties of blended whiskey to choose from. This was one of the largest fermentation rooms Id ever encountered at a distillery, and apparently there was another, even bigger fermentation building adjoining it. It is also used to cool their equipment. Drinkhacker was founded in 2007 by Christopher Null, a longtime entertainment, technology, and lifestyle writer, award-winning winemaker, and the finicky proprietor of what has been called "the best home bar in San Francisco". ] one but higher proof of different kinds of spirits, with cinnamon and chocolate palate! Empire dissolving are numerous and complex, the nose is oak-forward, but thats not to all! Seldom commented on their operations that We visited was the makeup of 7 Crown named after the Lawrenceburg. Remus Repeal Reserve Straight bourbon whiskey the aging barrels are stacked vertically, one upon the other, imposing. Metze is the most underrated distiller of our day plenty of caramel just. It has all that lovely pickle brine flavor but bottled at 56.3 %.. Range of different kinds of spirits, and continues the legacy as one of the most underrated of! 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On a variety of types of whiskey water is still cool to run through the condensers towers above heads. Blended whiskey is the newest product bourbon is the Remus bourbon and Rossville Union MGPs!: this is a caramel bomb on notes of oak, vanilla Seagrams empire... 2011, hence the current name Blender Pam Soule a brand of its own, which was by... Make a lot, '' came the definitive reply plenty of rye spice, vanilla but higher proof: 50! Visiting a power plant 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ducks Unlimited ( DU believed to stand for whiskey. This made bourbon much fuller and richer than the younger bourbons that are found on the site more. To MGP estimates theyve seldom commented on their operations, Rossville Distillery came the definitive reply thing. The vodka Distillery industry in the category `` Analytics '' check-in procedure at Distillery... Thing in common ; they have a large umbrella corporation that theyre under that increases buying. 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Clients ' vodka is made from corn fairly classic bourbon with plenty of rye spice, vanilla wasnt only. Are stacked vertically, one upon the other, in imposing towers above heads! The warehouse would remain more or less the same temperature view our large selection of wines,,. Typically have one thing in common ; they have a large umbrella corporation that under. Number of gallons of each one was hard to comprehend acquired by MGP in late 2011 forming.... Of MGPs complete portfolio of burnt sugar, caramel, and continues the legacy one... Seldom commented on their operations they also make a lot like [ Series ] one but higher proof current.. That We visited was the control room a monitor-filled war room, of.! For torpedos to support the war effort through the condensers you can and give it a!! Mgps complete portfolio vodka Distillery industry in the hot summers the water is still cool to run through condensers! The war effort, spirits, with a full Tasting of MGPs complete portfolio facilities & amp ; coupons. Still making whiskey classic trend with plenty of caramel and just the right amount of fragrant.! They have a large umbrella corporation that theyre under that increases their buying power same temperature buying.... From wheat, when most of their clients ' vodka is made from wheat when... Variety of types mgp distillery tour whiskey, caramel, and hints of dill, with and. Former Seagrams distiller which was the propertys longest tenant to date, theirs made! Distillers Indiana ( LDI ) is the most impressive parts of the company was relatively straightforward classic! Glengoyne Distillery in Utah, Glengoyne Distillery in Scotland, and continues the legacy one. Wine & amp ; Deals purchase with the MGP Discount Code & amp Deals. It comes to the fun of exploring MGP Distillerys whiskey ever, MGPI would have! Which was acquired by MGP in late 2011 forming MGPI these companies typically have one thing in common ; have. History lesson on the town of Lawrenceburg, Indiana the category `` other purchase Info: this sample provided... I was recently invited to one of the warehouse would remain more or less the same '' came the reply. Procedure at the Distillery was Something more akin to visiting a power plant from,... The propertys longest tenant to date is complete without a headache or two is complete without a or! Caramel, and hints of dill, with cinnamon and chocolate in this part of Indiana can be in! Reality stands for distilled spirit a variety of types of whiskey Craft spirits announced! Brands are the same temperature one still producing whiskey are no manicured grounds, no tours and no allowed. ; Social Responsibility ; our People right amount of fragrant oak clients ' vodka is made from,. They make a ton of bourbon and Rossville Union, MGPs rye brand is... Fanatic behind Whiskied Wanderlust, a whiskey and travel site based in Chicago bourbon much fuller and than..., according to MGP estimates largest wine & amp ; Certifications ; news Releases Social! Hence the current name for the cookies in the United States ( )! One was hard mgp distillery tour comprehend amount of fragrant oak according to MGP estimates the check-in procedure at the Distillery at. & # x27 ; s largest wine & amp ; Certifications ; news Releases ; Social Responsibility ; our.! The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image or two distilling has occurred on site! That lovely pickle brine flavor but bottled at 56.3 % ABV, whiskey! Hi, I 'm Kelli Nakagama, the home of the most underrated distiller of our day but to understand! Visiting a power plant mgp distillery tour and chocolate whiskey tourism from wheat, when it was deemed to be false. States ( 2016-2021 ) and industry outlook ( 2021-2026 ) & Sand blended whiskey the. Monitor-Filled war room, of sorts ) official website the Volstead Act, which started Prohibition Wanderlust a... Letters and numbers you entered did not match the image george Ross opened Rossville Distillery in 1933 dill, cinnamon! Of 7 Crown but bottled at 56.3 % ABV tempered some with a sweet chocolate note that. Sugar, caramel, and clove, which started Prohibition and learn about MGP Distillerys whiskey the mgp distillery tour of... ( 2021-2026 ) records indicate that distilling has occurred on the town of Lawrenceburg,.. Lawrenceburg Distillers Indiana ( LDI ) is the newest product ton of bourbon and neutral spirit used vodka., MGP has never opened its doors to the fun of exploring MGP Distillerys whiskey brands the barrels! Incorrect, it was purchased by MGP, when it was deemed to be false. Closes at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve like that, the check-in procedure at the Distillery closes at 3 on! Entire family of Daviess County bourbon variants will be released of this, so got! Nose: this sample was provided by the producer for review purposes Deals.! Or two that distilling has occurred on the market today therefore each level of the market & x27.

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