TASTE HISTORY WITH EVERY SIP

History TASTE WITH EVERY SIP

BY DIANA RANKIN

Using a 200-year-old family recipe, artisanal spring water, and ancestral operating stills, history is distilled in every sip of the award-winning whiskeys at Indian Creek Distillery. Located among the scenic hills of the tree-lined Indian Creek in Miami County’s Bethel Township, the distillery offers Legendary Ohio Frontier Whiskeys.

The Stillhouse is located on the beautifully preserved family farm. The historic Staley Mill Farm treats visitors to a breath of fresh country air while they enjoy authentic whiskey in the manner of their ancestors.

“We use the original copper pot stills that my ancestor, Elias Staley, used 200 years ago,” said Missy Duer, who, along with her husband Joe, owns and operates the

The historic still is back in use after being hidden during Prohibition.

distillery. The historic stills, which were hidden on the second floor of a warehouse by one of Missy’s great-grandfathers during Prohibition, were reclaimed by the Duers in 2012. They brought back to life the family’s dream of putting the spirit of America in a bottle. “After slumbering for 92 years, we woke up the old sleeping stills, gave them a good bath, and put the old girls to work,” Missy joked.

Today, Indian Creek Distillery is the only family-owned historic artisan distillery in the United States using original 1820 stills and the old-fashioned double copper distilling method. The new Amish-built stillhouse sits across the road from the original that once served Ohio’s pioneers and the Native Americans of the region.

“Our whiskeys are truly small batch and thoughtfully crafted with old-school character,” Joe said. The rye and corn are sourced from a local farmer, and the stills are hand cleaned and greased, infusing historic accuracy into the spirits. Even the bottling gets special attention.

“We apply every label by hand and continue the process by dipping the bottle into wax to seal,” Joe added. “Our whiskeys are non-chilled filtered. Our entire distillation process is truly artisan — an authentic, historic heritage distillation.”

Keeping in the tradition of Missy’s ancestors, a variety of spirits can be found at Indian Creek Distillery. Rye and rum were the two spirits of choice in early America. Elias Staley White Rye Whiskey, is made from a 200-year-old mash bill that was saved by Missy’s great-grandfather, George Washington Staley.

“Our 1820 Bourbon is a 100-proof, smooth and stylish drinking partner with a

STILL WATER RUNS DEEP

In 1818, Missy’s great-greatgrandfather Elias Staley and his two brothers built a grist mill along Indian Creek. The excess grain provided the defining opportunity for Elias to build a distillery. For the next 45 years until his death, Elias provided settlers and Native Americans with a mill for grinding grain into both flour and Staley Rye Whiskey. The whiskey was delivered to local customers by the gallon jug and barrels were purchased by saloons and general stores. Barrels of whiskey were even delivered to Union soldiers during the Civil War.

Following Elias’ passing in 1866, his sons Andrew, John, and Simon continued to operate the distillery. The legendary Ohio Staley Whiskey, which now included bourbon, remained popular until Prohibition, when the new federal law stopped production. The copper pot stills lay hidden from sight on the second floor of the warehouse, with the original rye mash bill written on a piece of paper — preserved for future generations. It took six generations until Missy Duer and husband Joe resurrected history and are once again crafting some mighty fine frontier whiskey.

The Staley brothers pictured in the 1800s.

Take home a bottle of the 1820 Bourbon. Grab a seat inside the tasting room.

legacy and essence as old as our family history,” said Missy. The sophisticated bourbon delivers a long-lasting, warm finish that brighten as the rye delivers a soft “kiss,” allowing the oak and smoke to become tasting partners.

Another favorite is the American BondHouse Bourbon — a deep, dark, and delicious 120-proof cask-strength whiskey. Aromatic with rich toffee notes, a sip of this whiskey evokes nostalgia as the palate highlights an oaky caramel with the lingering softness of pipe smoke. “Our American BondHouse Bourbon is extremely smooth and approachable for a high-proof bourbon,” Joe said. The newest customer favorite is Seven Staleys American Bourbon Whiskey, named in homage to the seven generations of the Staley family who’ve produced whiskey. Carmony Duer Goecke, Missy and Joe’s daughter, is the latest family member to take up the tradition.

new gervasi spirit liqueurs

Gervasi Vineyard’s newest liqueurs, Citro and Giava, both add just the right amount of that something special to mixed drinks or as an after-dinner treat.

Citro is a flavorful Italianesque citrus liqueur with orange, lemon, and lime.

Giava is a coffee liqueur infusion with locally roasted beans and tantalizing sweetness.

blu mojitogs spritzers

2 8 Fresh Blueberries 6 Mint Leaves oz GS Liqueur (BLU, Giava, or Citro) ¾ oz Fresh Lime Juice3 oz Tonic Water ¼ oz Blueberry PureePour over Ice in a Wine Glass 1 oz Simple SyrupFinish with a Citrus Slice 1½ oz Spiced Rum 1 oz BLU Blueberry Liquor

Gently muddle first five ingredients. Add rum and shake with ice. Float BLU on top. Different Be Fresh

11/2 oz. Elias Staley White Rye Whiskey 3/4 oz. St. Germain Liqueur 3/4 oz. dry vermouth 1/2 tsp. Cointreau 1 orange twist or basil leaf

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Shake, strain into a coupe glass, and add garnish.

PURPLE RAIN

2 oz. of Elias Staley White Rye Whiskey 1 tsp. crème de violette 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice 1 tsp. grated lemon zest 1 lavender sprig Chilled soda water

Add whiskey, crème de violette, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Shake well. In a Collins glass, add a handful of ice, strain the liquid from your cocktail shaker over the ice, pour in soda water to fill the glass, and stir lightly with a long spoon. Sprinkle grated lemon zest on top of the cocktail and garnish with a lavender sprig.