Driftless Glen Named Wisconsin Distillery of the Year

 

Driftless Glen was named Wisconsin Distillery of the Year by New York International Spirits Competition (NYISC). The competition took place in April. In addition, three Driftless Glen Bourbon and Whiskies received 90 plus ratings.

This was the first time Driftless Glen participated in the New York International Spirits Competition (NYISC). This international spirits competition is celebrating its 10th year and was held at the 3 West Club in the heart of New York City, across from Rockefeller Center.

The New York International Spirits Competition was the first competition to be founded in the International Beverage Competition Series. After its success, they replicated the competition in multiple countries, and have since expanded to include wine and beer competitions as well. What sets NYISC apart from other international beverage competitions is their TRADE ONLY blind judging panel, and the spirits industry has continued to take notice of the competitions growth.

New York City is many things for different people.  One of its great attributes, besides being a food and travel destination, is that it is a talent-rich city with many nationally and internationally recognized beverage industry professionals living and working there.  Driftless Glen is honored and thankful. We have so much more to come as our distillery grows and continues to share what we have planned with our spirits and our reach.

 

Wisconsin Distillery of the Year | Individual Award

Driftless Glen Distillery

 

94 points | Gold

Driftless Glen 51 Rye, 51%

Driftless Glen Distillery’s third rye expression, named for its 51% rye mash (compared to 74% in their core rye) as well as its 51% ABV. The nose has notes of orange peel, apricot, fragrant oak, bitter chocolate, burnt sugar, ginger, mint, and citrus oil. A rich, spicy palate offers more chocolate, as well as chili powder, tarragon, and cigar ash. A long finish of tobacco leaf, chocolate custard, and cinnamon.

92 points | Silver

Driftless Glen Bourbon Whiskey, 48%

Orange, lemon peel, iced tea, cinnamon, and blueberry jam aromas are undercut by earthy notes of mulch, chili powder, cracked corn, and dill. Oak leads the flavor parade, but is well-tempered by raspberry, pomegranate, cinnamon, orange, licorice, walnuts, and black pepper. Chocolate, more pomegranate, chili powder, and silky oak round out this lush bourbon, which shows impressive maturity for its 2 years.

91 points | Bronze

Driftless Glen Single Barrel Rye Whiskey, 48%

Classical fruity rye notes of orange, green apple, and blueberry on the nose, along with fresh-baked muffin and a whiff of new oak. The palate is somewhat arch at first, but it quickly melts into honey, warm chocolate sauce, caramel, cinnamon, baking spice, orange candy, walnut, and a hint of pipe tobacco. The finish is light and well-balanced, with more orange, along with chocolate malt, caramel, iced tea, and black pepper.

 

The International Beverage Competition Series also includes the New York International Beer Competition, the New York International Wine Competition, the Berlin International Spirits Competition, the Berlin International Wine Competition, the Asia International Wine Competition, the Asia International Spirits Competition, the Melbourne International Spirits Competition, the Melbourne International Beer Competition, and the Melbourne International Wine Competition.