Iowa is the number one beverage alcohol producing state in the country, who’d have thunk it?? Nestled between the bluffs of LeClaire and the Mighty Mississippi River, stands a tan brick building, just north of the local shops along Highway 67 that make up the shopping district, is the home of the Mississippi River Distilling Company. As we drove past the building, we caught a glimpse of an inviting sign on the door “Tours given from 9-4”. We had found another something to do in LeClaire. Walking through the doors, the scent of fermenting grain began to become noticeable. Growing up in Muscatine, I know that smell can lead to some fine alcohol. Brothers Ryan & Garrett Burchett opened this distillery in 2010 and continue to have a hand in every batch of spirits that is concocted on the premises. Refusing to outsource and only doing business with local farmers is what they pride themselves on. Every grain that is used comes from within 25 miles of the distillery. There are only a handful of distillers in the US who take the “grain to glass” approach, and the Burchett family is one of them.
Homegrown Spirits was designed around this still and from every corner of the distillery building she has her eye on you. The products that come out of Rose are top notch. After taking its trip through the still and the rectification columns (depending on what is brewing), the alcohol is stored in 30 gallon barrels (a smaller barrel is used to speed up the curing time. The traditional 60 gallon barrel can take up to 1 year to age and by cutting down the amount of liquor in each barrel, they are able to naturally speed up the aging process). Each barrel of spirits is labeled with the date of manufacture and the origin of its ingredients and is set down in the climate controlled warehouse to let father time do his magic. Once each batch is ready to bottle, it is brought up from the warehouse and thanks to the help of volunteers, every spirit is hand bottled, hand corked & hand labeled with batch information, thus reflecting the love & dedication that each bottle receives. There are five products that are prepared at the Mississippi River Distilling Co. ranging from smooth vodka to stout whiskey. Each with its own distinct blend of local grains, fruits & vegetables; and each product claims a name reflective of life along the river.
River Pilot Vodka is an award winning crystal clear and amazingly smooth vodka, named after the first riverboat pilot to successfully navigate through this area of the Mighty Mississippi’s cross currents, rocks and other hazards, Philip Suiter. River Rose Gin is highlighted with traditional juniper, along with a full body of citrus including orange, grapefruit and lemon; lavender, rose petals, and locally grown cucumbers provide a finish that is sure to tease your palette. The recipe used for River Rose dates back to the 1800’s. (I am NOT a fan of Gin at all, seems we all had “one of The star of the tour is “Rose”; a 1000 liter, handmade, gleaming copper and stainless steel German still who stands those experiences” in college with Gin that involved a late night and praying to a porcelain god; but I sucked it up for proudly next to 2 very tall rectification columns. Aptly you and tried it…. It was the most refreshing, smooth and named, Rose has the curves of a beautiful woman and is flavorful spirit that had crossed these lips ever). When the the true “river rose” of the distillery. The building layout river was the lifeline of this area, steam boats carried all
26 - TRMI MAY 2014
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