Glacier Distilling

Research sources, reviews and links to information relating to distillation.

Moderator: Site Moderator

Post Reply
wildrover
Swill Maker
Posts: 206
Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:05 am
Location: Idaho

Glacier Distilling

Post by wildrover »

I just got back from a trip to Glacier National Park and as we were driving in a "Whiskey Tasting" sign caught me eye. We didn't have time to stop by then but on the way back home I stopped in and got a quick tour and sampled what they made. I was an hour earlier then tasting time, but one of the owners was there working and was nice enough to let me sample and check out the place.

They make a white whiskey called "Glacier Dew" with barley, corn, and rye for $28. As you guys know whiskeys in the white can be gnarly, but these guys did very good. He said they made very tight cuts to make sure there wasn't too much tails, and just enough of the late heads. It was pretty darn tasty. Then they have what tasted like the same recipe, but was aged in new charred white oak for $38. It had been aged for 6 months I believe he said, and it had taken on a nice color but I wonder if it was barreled at a low proof because it didn't take on much of the barrel's flavor. Which wasn't bad, it just wasn't as far from the white whiskey's taste as I though it would be after 6 months. I did buy a bottle of the aged one.
Glacier-Dew-Glamour-Shot[1].jpg
These guys built the "Whiskey Barn", their facility, last fall, applied for permits and got approved right around January so they're just starting out. The bottle of whiskey I bought was from their 3rd batch. So he was doing a run while I was there, which was awesome to see the stream coming out of the still. It was a pretty standard German made (Kothe I think) still. 450 liters, with 4 sight windows, so I assume 4 trays. He was collecting in smaller 2 quartish jars to make the cuts later on. During the tour I saw the rig he learned on which is just like my still, just scaled down. It was a SS milk tank with a pot still head and a liebig condenser. I wish I could have stayed longer but the wife and kids were outside and strapped in the car ready to head home.

Also they used plastic fermenters. He called them something like "Corneys" or something. Do you guys know what they are? These were cylindrical and blue with the whole top that came off and with a flat bottom. Probably a little over 200 gallons with a drain out the bottom to pump out of it. Anyways he said it was a lot cheaper then stainless and worked well.

Anyways you should check them out if you guys are on the west end of Glacier National Park at Coram. Nice guys and I wish them good luck! Here's their website: http://www.glacierdistilling.com/.
User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 13024
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Glacier Distilling

Post by LWTCS »

Nice report.

Bottling Party gimmick sounds like it could have a grass roots/feel good kind of energy. Specially with door prizes or drawing straws for some free product....
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
wildrover
Swill Maker
Posts: 206
Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:05 am
Location: Idaho

Re: Glacier Distilling

Post by wildrover »

LWTCS wrote:Nice report.

Bottling Party gimmick sounds like it could have a grass roots/feel good kind of energy. Specially with door prizes or drawing straws for some free product....
Dry Fly Distilling does that also. I agree 100% and I think it's great free advertising as these people go and talk about what they helped bottle, and makes them that much more proud of the product. I know Dry Fly is booked out at least a year for their vodka and gin bottling parties. Each bottle is signed by who bottled it at Glacier Distilling so that definitely would add pride for the people doing the free labor. Mine was bottled by "Lauren" -- God bless her soul. :)
User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 13024
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Glacier Distilling

Post by LWTCS »

wildrover wrote:Mine was bottled by "Lauren" -- God bless her soul. :)
LMAO :lol: Bless her heart........Thats my baby girls name too :D
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
Post Reply