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By in Media & Events Comments Off on 2nd Hopscotch Release November 17!

2nd Hopscotch Release November 17!

Mad River Distillers To Release

Second Edition of Hopscotch Vermont Single Malt Whiskey

WARREN, Vermont (October 30, 2017) – Mad River Distillers of Vermont is proud to announce the upcoming release of the second edition of its extremely limited Hopscotch Vermont Single Malt Whiskey on Friday, November 17 at select Vermont and Massachusetts retailers and bars. The second Hopscotch release is the result of collaboration with neighbor and family-operated microbrewery, Stone Corral Brewery.

“For our second batch of Hopscotch, we decided to distill an existing beer from Stone Corral and chose their Scotch Ale for obvious reasons,” explained Alex Hilton, general manager and distiller at Mad River Distillers. “The result is a rich and malt-forward whiskey, much like the beer itself.”

Hopscotch is Vermont’s first single malt whiskey, a collaboration between Mad River Distillers and their brewer partners. For this second edition with Stone Corral Brewery, just less than 700 bottles have been produced and hand-numbered for release.

“We are excited to be working with Mad River Distillers on the Hopscotch project because we believe we share similar philosophies regarding the integrity of ingredients and construction of flavors,” said Bret Hamilton, co-founder of Stone Corral Brewery. “Our Scotch Ale was a natural starting place for us to explore crafting a single malt whiskey together. We really hope people enjoy the synergy and flavors in this unique spirit.”

About Hopscotch’s Second Edition

  • Hopscotch is a supple, flavorful whiskey that bridges the ground between the classic American whiskey style and the smoky tang of traditional Scottish single malts. It was distilled from Stone Corral Scotch Ale, which is brewed with peated malt.
  • Tasting Notes: Tobacco, ale maltiness and a kiss of hop on the palate. Smoky on the finish with flavors of peat.
  • Aged for 18 months and bottled at 92 proof with 46% ABV.
  • Massachusetts release will be 40 cases (240 bottles) of 750ml bottles for $59.99 each and Vermont release will be 75 cases (452 bottles) of 375ml bottles for $39.99 each

 

Official Release Events

Friday, November 17 from 12 pm to 8 pm.  Burlington Tasting Room, 137 St. Paul St., Burlington, Vermont. Free tastings, drink specials and raffle prizes. Follow the tasting room on Instagram @madriverdistillersBTV and Twitter @DrinkMRD for updates.

Saturday, November 18 from 12 pm to 8 pm. Stone Corral Brewery, 83 Huntington Rd., Richmond, Vermont. Free tastings, drink specials, food and live music by Southtown Bluegrass Band from 7 pm to 10 pm.

Friday, November 24 from 12 noon to 6 pm. Mad River Taste Place, 89 Mad River Green, Waitsfield, VT. Start your holiday shopping at our newest tasting room in the Mad River Valley. Free tastings of Hopscotch, Stone Corral beer, as well as cheese, wine and cider.

By in Media & Events Comments Off on Find your bottle of Burnt Rock Bourbon!

Find your bottle of Burnt Rock Bourbon!

Beginning September 22

In Vermont:

Direct from the distillery tasting room! 137 St. Paul St. Burlington, VT  05401. Hours: Wed. 12-6, Thurs. 12-8, Fri-Sat. 12-10, Sun-Mon. 12-6.

In MA and RI:
MA Restaurants
Troquet on South
Catalyst
Alden and Harlow
Toro
LaVoille
Lola 42
Shojo

MA Retail
Giles Wines and Spirits
Boston Wine Exchange
Falmouth Wine and Spirits
Julios
Ball Square
Needham Wine and Spirits
Cambridge Spirits
Pour Richards
Gordon's Main Street
Hopsters Alley
Wine Emporium
Cambridge Wine and Spirits
Dover Wine Company
City Liquors
Kappy's Peabody
Kappy's Danvers
Kappy's Malden
Kappy's East Boston
Coolidge Corner Wine & Spirits

RI
Bottles Fine Wine and Spirits
New Harvest
Durks
Statesman Tavern

By in Media & Events Comments Off on Mad River's Newest Release; Burnt Rock Bourbon

Mad River's Newest Release; Burnt Rock Bourbon

 

Mad River Distillers to Release Super-Limited Burnt Rock Bourbon on September 19th

WARREN, Vermont (September 5, 2017) – Mad River Distillers of Vermont is proud to announce the distillery’s new Burnt Rock Bourbon will be released in extremely limited quantities on Tuesday, September 19th at select Vermont and Massachusetts retailers and bars.

“We were looking for a different bourbon experience, something spicier with a bit of smoke to it,” said Mimi Buttenheim, Mad River Distillers’ president. “The maple wood smoke allowed us to showcase our Vermont roots.”

Entirely different from the distillery’s flagship four-grain, wheated bourbon (corn, wheat, oats, and barley), Burnt Rock Bourbon is a 12- to 18-month old corn, rye, and maple wood-smoked barley named after a popular hiking trail up Burnt Rock Mountain in Mad River Valley, Vermont.

“We hand-built our smoker from a used steel drum and smoke the malted barley over maple wood from our property at Cold Spring Farm,” said Alex Hilton, general manager and distiller at Mad River Distillers. “The corn we used was grown organically in Vermont, and the rye adds a nice spice element to complement the smoke. As they say, ‘Smoke it if you got it.’”

About Burnt Rock Bourbon

  • Tasting Notes: Sweet maple smoke and cedar with orange spice on the nose and tastes of citrus, caramel, rye, tobacco, and bright herbal notes. The finish is long and chewy – reminiscent of a fine single malt.
  • Bottled at 92 proof with 46% ABV.
  • Each bottle is hand-numbered.
  • Massachusetts release will be 40 cases (240 bottles) of 750ml bottles for $52.99 each and Vermont release will be 75 cases (452 bottles) of 375ml bottles for $39.99 each.
By in Media & Events Comments Off on Mad River Bourbon Featured in Conde Nast Traveler!

Mad River Bourbon Featured in Conde Nast Traveler!

Mad River Distillers Bourbon Whiskey
Made in…Waitsfield, Vermont
“We are lighter than traditional Kentucky bourbons,” says President Mimi Buttenheim, of this northern bourbon that only hit shelves in 2014 but is readily available in New York City now. “I think the bourbon is better, because we have some extreme cold,” she continues. “For only a year old, it has wonderful color and exceptional smoothness. It plays well in an Old Fashioned, but is truly great in a Julep.”

 

By in Media & Events Comments Off on Mad River Distillers PX Rum Wins Double Gold at 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Mad River Distillers PX Rum Wins Double Gold at 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

WARREN, Vermont (April 27, 2017) – Mad River Distillers of Vermont is proud to announce the distillery’s PX Rum recently took home a Double Gold Medal at the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) held April 20-23 at the Hotel Nikko in downtown San Francisco, Calif.

 

“Our PX Rum is distilled from demerara sugar and then aged in charred and toasted oak barrels before being finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks for more than a year,” said Alex Hilton, General Manager at Mad River Distillers. “The result is a smooth sipping rum with nutty and smoky aromas and flavors – perfect for any classic rum cocktail.”

 

SFWSC is considered the most influential spirits competition in the world. More than 2,100 entries were submitted by craft spirits distilleries, making it the largest in San Francisco World Spirits Competition’s 17-year history. The judging panel was comprised of 43 industry experts including James Beard Award-winning author, David Wondrich, and Jeffrey Morgenthaler, recently named America’s Bartender of the Year and the country’s Best Cocktail and Spirits Writer at the 2016 Spirited Awards.

 

“Our PX Rum was up against some of the finest spirits in the world,” Hilton said. “Winning a Double Gold medal in San Francisco is a testament to the quality, hard work and – pun aside – spirit of our team here at Mad River Distillers.”

By in Media & Events Comments Off on Fresh: Ideas and Ingredients Behind the Bar in 2017

Fresh: Ideas and Ingredients Behind the Bar in 2017

Celebrate Spring with the VT Sour featuring Revolution Rye!

Our Burlington event, "Fresh," went off spectacularly on Friday, April 21. Mad River Distillers Burlington, Barr Hill by Caledonia Spirits, and Alice & the Magician teamed up to showcase trends and new techniques in cocktails for 2017.

We asked some of our best friends, favorite bartenders, and all around spirit savvy folks for what they look forward to seeing more of in cocktail culture; what methods, techniques, flavors and tricks currently make Vermont bartenders tick?

Using the inspiration of these bars and bartenders we have created a unique series of craft cocktails to give you a look at what you can expect to see throughout 2017! Think NYC Fashion Week meets Cocktails. A demonstration of exciting new styles and drinks that VT bars are working with.

More recipes here: https://www.aliceandthemagician.com/fresh

By in Media & Events Comments Off on 2017 Press!

2017 Press!

4 Ways Rye Whiskey is Going Against the Grain
The rye whiskey renaissance has led to a new batch of American distillers breaking established rules and foraging ahead with forward-thinking spirits.
BY KARA NEWMAN
Wine Enthusiast 
Published on February 21, 2017

 

New England Distillers' Mash Note to Bourbon 
Pioneers stake a claim to the Kentucky-born classic, but going against the grain has its challenges

BY TOM ACITELLI / PHOTOS MICHAEL PIAZZA, To Market Magazine, February 2017

“If you don’t want to taste the grain in the spirit you’re drinking, then drink vodka.” That is Brett Little, co-founder and distiller at Mad River Distillers in Warren, Vermont, a little outside of Burlington.

 

How Two Back Bay Entrepreneurs Founded a Thriving Distillery (& a Must-Sip Cocktail Recipe  
By Sara Cornell | March 2, 2017 | Food & Drink

Artisanal rum and whiskey whisked one Boston power couple away to...Vermont?

By in Media & Events Comments Off on Recent Press on Our Whiskeys!

Recent Press on Our Whiskeys!

4 ways Rye Whiskey is going against the grain.
The rye whiskey renaissance has led to a new batch of American distillers breaking established rules and foraging ahead with forward-thinking spirits.

Revolution Rye (Mad River Distillers, Warren, VT, $50). Three rye varietal grains, a portion of which is malted and roasted “chocolate” rye, create deep toffee and orange peel flavors.

Read the full article on Wine Enthusiast

By in Media & Events Comments Off on Mad River Distillers Releases Hopscotch Vermont Single Malt Whiskey

Mad River Distillers Releases Hopscotch Vermont Single Malt Whiskey

Warren, Vermont, November 7th, 2016-  Mad River Distillers of Warren is debuting its newest whiskey with the strictly limited edition release of Hopscotch, the first (legal) Vermont Single Malt Whiskey in, as far as we can tell, at least a hundred years.

The 2016 Mad River Distillers Hopscotch release, bottled at 92 proof (46% ABV), is the result of a collaboration with neighbor and award-winning brewer Sean Lawson of Lawson's Finest Liquids.

Just 200 hand-numbered bottles have been produced for the Vermont market, along with a limited release to key craft spirits retailers in Massachusetts. Sales begin on Tuesday, November 15th.

“Hopscotch came about from our friendship with Sean and the idea that we had been interested in doing a Single Malt whiskey,” said Mad River Distillers Alex Hilton. “We worked on a mash bill collectively that we felt would be well suited for a Single Malt. We distilled it, he added some hops then we barreled it. And then we waited...”

Lawson completed a 100% barley beer wash as the base for the whiskey at his brewery, 10% of which was maple-smoked with wood sourced from the distillery's Cold Springs Farm. Mad River then distilled the wash into whiskey in its Müller still. It filled new, charred American Oak barrels which aged in the company's rickhouse.

Hopscotch was aged for over a year, and carefully tested for maturation along the way by Mad River Distillers Alex Hilton, John Egan and Brett Little. The result is a supple, flavorful whiskey that bridges the ground between the classic American whiskey style and the smoky tang of traditional Scottish Single Malts. The final stamp of approval came from Lawson himself.

“I think he was impressed,” Hilton commented. “I don't think there were really any expectations, but when he tasted the finished whiskey, he gave us his '2000 percent' approval!”

The company plans a release party at the Mad River Distillers Burlington tasting room on Tuesday, November 15th complete with food, beer from Lawson's Finest and live music from members of The Grift.

About Mad River Distillers:

Mad River Distillers was founded in 2011 by John Egan, Brett Little and Maura Connolly with the intention of producing high-quality, handcrafted spirits using locally-sourced, non-GMO ingredients and Cold Springs Farm's exceptionally pure natural spring water. The Warren, Vermont-based company, which is now distributed in New England, New York and California, currently produces four rums, three whiskeys including Hopscotch, and Malvados Apple Brandy, which was a 2015 Good Food Awards winner.

 

About Lawson's Finest Liquids:

Lawson’s Finest is a small batch, artisanal microbrewery located in Warren, Vermont. The beer is custom crafted at a modest production facility tucked in the woods, on the east flank of Lincoln Mountain.

Sean Lawson has earned critical acclaim and an enthusiastic fan following in the world of craft brewing. He started Lawson's Finest as a single-barrel nanobrewery, with his wife Karen in 2008 after 20 years of home brewing. His specialty maple beers & IPA’s have garnered awards at the World Beer Cup, Great American Beer Festival, and at two National IPA championships (2011 – Triple Play IPA and 2016- Super Session #2.)

 

By in Media & Events Comments Off on Hopscotch Release Nov. 15th!

Hopscotch Release Nov. 15th!

RSVP to retail@madriverdistillers.com. Limited capacity!

hopscotch-release-posterIn Massachusetts, find Hopscotch at the following retailers:

Cambridge Spirits: 9 Broad Canal
City Liquors: Mass Ave
Hopsters Alley at the Boston Public Market
Giles Fine Wines: Winchester
Table and Vine: West Springfield
Cambridge Wine and Spirits: Fresh Pond
Pour Richards: Franklin, MA
Social Wines: South Boston

Rhode Island:
Bottles, Providence

By in Media & Events Comments Off on Release Date Announcement: PX Rum Finished in Pedro Ximenez Barrels

Release Date Announcement: PX Rum Finished in Pedro Ximenez Barrels

RELEASE DATE OCTOBER 20, 2016


Our demerara-based rum takes on a new dimension. After careful aging in a mixture of toasted and charred barrels, the rum is finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, imparting nutty and smoky aromas and flavors. Limited quantities of PX Rum are available at our Burlington, VT tasting room.

By in Media & Events Comments Off on PX Rum Release Party- You're Invited!

PX Rum Release Party- You're Invited!

px-release-party-11x17

 

PX Rum Release Party

Thursday, October 20th, 6-9 pm

Mad River Distillers Burlington  137 St. Paul St. Burlington, VT  05401  Tel: 802-489-5501

Limited entry, RSVP: retail@madriverdistillers.com

$20 tickets, includes PX Rum tasting, tapas and a cocktail. PX Rum available for sale. Get this limited edition while you can!

 

By in Media & Events Comments Off on Burlington Tasting Room Now Open!

Burlington Tasting Room Now Open!

IMG_5148

137 St. Paul St. [On the corner of St. Paul and Main St.] Burlington, VT  05401

retail@madriverdistillers.com

Hours:

Thurs-Sat: 12 noon - 8 pm

Sun: 11 am - 6 pm

Mon & Wed: 12 noon - 6 pm

Closed Tuesday

Visit us to sample and purchase our spirits and cocktail accessories as well as mixers and bitters.  Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings we serve cocktails highlighting Mad River Distillers spirits.

By in Media & Events Comments Off on Limited Editions Coming Fall of 2016!

Limited Editions Coming Fall of 2016!

PX RumPXRum_375_Label_Revision

Finished in Pedro Ximenez Barrels

Our demerara-based rum takes on a new dimension. After careful aging in a mixture of toasted and charred barrels, the rum is finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, imparting nutty and smoky aromas and flavors.

Vermont residents can pre-order; email info@madriverdistillers.com

Hop ScotchHopscotch Front

Vermont Single Malt Whiskey

Made from malted barley and brewed by Sean Lawson, the wash for this whiskey is a collaboration between Mad River Distillers and the creator of Lawson's Finest Liquids.

Vermont residents can pre-order; email info@madriverdistillers.com

By in Media & Events Comments Off on Mad River Distillers to Open Tasting Room in Burlington

Mad River Distillers to Open Tasting Room in Burlington

http://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/mad-river-distillers-to-open-tasting-room-in-burlington/Content?oid=3041085

 

For decades, the airy corner storefront at 137 St. Paul Street in Burlington was home to the Hempest, the clothing retailer known for its spirited, eco-friendly duds. Shortly after the Boston-based boutique closed earlier this month, Mad River Distillers moved in. Now the craft distillery is hard at work transforming the space into a tasting room and retail shop.

If all goes well, the cofounders of the Warren distillery — John Egan, Maura Connolly and Brett Little — will be offering samples of their whiskeys, rums and Malvados apple brandy later this month — at least on a pop-up basis. The opening date remains fuzzy pending permits, says distillery president Mimi Buttenheim, who joined the company last spring after four years heading Vermont Spirits.

When it opens for regular hours in January, the Burlington tasting room will follow the company's Waitsfield outlet (open on weekends) as its second retail location. Along with its own bottles, the shop will carry spirits from other Vermont distilleries, plus mixers, glassware, bar tools and gift packs, such as a three-flask holiday sampler of MRD rye, bourbon and maple rum.

Though Buttenheim emphasizes that the new space will not be a bar, the tasting room will have a bar and will host special cocktail nights, workshops and other boozy events in hopes of tapping into the Queen City's increasing interest in craft food and spirits. "It'll give us a chance to talk to people about how we make these cocktails and give people a better sense of what craft distilling is all about," Buttenheim says.

Egan notes that the company decided early on to distill every spirit by hand and from scratch, using as many local and regional raw materials as possible. "We think that's a point of differentiation for people that are interested in this movement," he says.

What's more, Egan says he's excited to use the space as a tasting lab, where visitors will be able to offer feedback on the test batches, experiments and new products that head distiller Little is working on back at the distillery. "We're really excited about Burlington," Egan says. "We think it's a great place to be."