Finding small craft distillers who have a great story and are making some great whiskey is what the hunt is all about for me. And, that's just what I found in Columbia, Illinois (just south of St. Louis) at Old Monroe Distilling.
A couple of things intrigued me about this distillery when I found it. It looked like it was in the middle of farm fields. (which it is). Come to find out after talking with the owners, Adam and Laura, that it sits on family farm land. And they grow many of their own crops that they use in distilling. So it's a true grain to glass distillery.
When I found this distillery, it was called Stumpy's Spirits. How can you not like a name like that? But they are going through a name change to Old Monroe Distillery. No small feat for a craft distiller. There's a lot that goes into changing the name of any business. But, come to find out after talking with Adam and Laura, there is quite a bit of significance to the name Old Monroe Distillery. You can see the back story in the video. It's some great history about how Illinois was a key player in whiskey production.
Adam Stumpf, who is the distiller and his wife Laura who handles the front of the house are a husband and wife team running the distillery. It's clear they have a great relationship, and one would expect that once you find out they were high school sweethearts and have been together forever.
Adam's journey into whiskey making is not that different than many craft distillers, however he comes at it from a farming background. And, that's clear walking around the distillery where you can he see he has used his farming ingenuity to fabricate or build something that he needed.
Which led us to the still. Now, I had heard a few distillers talk about Adam's still and that it had a historical and storied past. And this is a still that doesn't look like many of the stills out there. The story behind this still is absolutely amazing. How Adam found the still and got it here...and then put it back together. Well, it's something you have to hear and see. Watch for this episode.
But the big question is really how good is his whiskey? They have been making whiskey for a while now, so they have some experience. Now, they only have a few expressions. Bourbon and a Single Barrel Rye. The Bourbon was very good. I liked it a lot. However the Rye was like drinking Christmas. You can see the tasting video below.
We also got to try a wheat whiskey straight from the barrel. This is Laura's favorite. I love wheat whiskey, and this was mighty delicious. So if you are lucky enough to find a bottle of this, I recommend picking it up.
It's a great distillery. Adam and Laura are fantastic hosts and they are making some great whiskey. Plus, they are poised for growth. Watch for their growth. They are opening up a brand new visitor's center / events center and it's quite the building. Plus it will be nestled in-between a bunch of crop fields where they harvest the grains to make their whiskey. How cool is that?!?
Let us know of you have been to the distillery and had a chance to talk with Adam and Laura and try their whiskey.
What am I drinking while writing this - Old Monroe Single Barrel Rye
Proof: 108.6
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Soft, Christmas wreath, peppermint and spearmint
Pallet: Good mouthfeel, Christmas candy (those corn flakes that are green with red cinnamon hard candies, a touch of spice
Finish: Medium long, Sweet, Hot Cocoa with schnapps, Ginger snaps, good Kentucky hug
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