PRESS RELEASE: Grand Rapids Distillery Set to Release Straight Rye Whisky & Nocino Walnut Liqueur
Grand Rapids Distillery Set to Release Straight Rye Whisky & Nocino Walnut Liqueur
Limited-Release of Long Road Straight Rye Whisky Available Beginning Monday, November 20
Grand Rapids, Michigan – Grand Rapids-based Long Road Distillers will release two new spirits at their distillery on Monday, November 20 beginning at 4 pm. Long Road Straight Rye Whisky and Long Road Nocino, both limited-release offerings, will be hitting shelves just in time for the holidays.
Long Road Straight Rye Whisky is the first straight whisky made in the City of Grand Rapids’ history. Straight whisky, by definition, must be aged at least two years in a new American Oak barrel that has been charred on the inside. Having recently celebrated two years in business, Long Road Straight Rye Whisky was one of the first products distilled at the West Side distillery. The whisky’s mash bill consists of rye from Heffron Farms in Belding, Michigan and malted barley from Pilot Malt House in Byron Center, Michigan.
“We’re excited to share our first straight whisky with the world,” said Jon O’Connor, co-owner and co-founder of Long Road. “Taking the long road meant taking no shortcuts along the way. Sourcing spirits from other distilleries is a fairly common practice in the industry, particularly with whisky. But we want to be transparent about our spirits and we’re confident that by using locally-sourced ingredients and time-honored distilling techniques, we can create world-class spirits from scratch right here in Grand Rapids.”
Less than 200 bottles of Long Road Straight Rye Whisky will be available, in-house only.
On Monday, the distillery will also be releasing a new, seasonal spirit: Long Road Nocino, a green walnut liqueur. The Nocino starts with a base of locally sourced red winter wheat that is distilled into a neutral spirit. It is then infused with green walnuts and a variety of other spices, such as nutmeg, clove and allspice.
“This is our first adventure into specialty liqueurs, “said Kyle VanStrien, co-owner and co-founder of the distillery. “It’s the perfect holiday sipper and mixes well into lots of classic cocktails. It even pairs nicely with our Rye Whisky – the dual release isn’t a coincidence!”
Long Road Nocino will initially be available in-house only, but will go into statewide distribution beginning December 3.
On Monday, November 20, the distillery is hosting a Rye Whisky and Nocino Release Party to celebrate the new spirits. From 4 to 8 pm, guests will be able to enjoy 50% off whisky and nocino cocktails and will have their first opportunity to purchase bottles of both.
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About Long Road Distillers:
Long Road Distillers was born from the belief that making world-class spirits means never taking shortcuts along the way. After becoming the first craft distillery in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Long Road Distillers formed relationships with local farmers to bring that mission to Grand Rapids’ West Side neighborhood. Each spirit produced at Long Road Distillers is milled from locally sourced ingredients, fermented, and distilled on-site. The result is an uncompromised lineup of spirits including Vodka, Gin, Whisky and more. Their spirits, along with a handcrafted collection of cocktails and a wide variety of food can be enjoyed at their tasting room on Leonard Street.www.LongRoadDistillers.com
