Wine Enthusiast names Revolution Rye one of its Top 100 Spirits of 2016!
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.)
Hopscotch Release Nov. 15th!
RSVP to retail@madriverdistillers.com. Limited capacity!
In 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
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.
PX Rum Release Party- You're Invited!
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!
Mad Celebration
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Mad Celebration
Description
Your new go-to celebratory drink is here, with sparkling wine, Mad Apple, Angostura Bitters, and a sugar cube.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 oz. Mad Apple
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Chilled Sparkling Wine
Instructions
- Put the two dashes of bitters on a sugar cube.
- Place the sugar cube (with bitters) in the bottom of a champagne glass.
- Add Mad Apple over the sugar cube.
- Top the glass with sparkling wine.
Featured Spirit
Mad Apple Mule
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Mad Apple Mule
Description
This simple Mad Apple Mule combines Ginger Ale with our Mad Apple Brandy, plus a dash of Angostura bitters.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz. Mad Apple
- Venetian Ginger Ale
- 1 dash Angostura Bitters
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients.
- Serve over ice in a highball glass.
- Garnish with lemon.
Featured Spirit
Mad Apple Old Fashioned
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Mad Apple Old Fashioned
Description
This Mad Apple Old Fashioned is like an ode to Vermont, with flavors of both Apple and Maple Syrup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz. Mad Apple
- 1 tsp. VT Maple Syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Instructions
- Stir maple syrup, bitters and Mad Apple over ice.
- Strain contents into a rocks glass over ice.
- Garnish with apple or an orange swath.
Featured Spirit
Jack Rose
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Jack Rose
Description
Jack Rudy Craft Grenadine adds a lovely rose color and flavor to our Mad Apple Brandy in this simple cocktail.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz Mad Apple
- 1 oz Jack Rudy Craft Grenadine
- 1/2 oz Lime Juice
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
- Shake for about 8-10 seconds.
- Strain contents into a coupe glass.
Featured Spirit
Mad Pineapple
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Mad Pineapple
Description
Only three simple ingredients are needed in this Pineapple flavored cocktail featuring First Run Rum. See our notes on how to make Roasted Pineapple Syrup!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz First Run Rum
- 2 Tsp. Roasted Pineapple Syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Instructions
- Stir all ingredients with ice until just chilled.
- Strain contents into a double rocks glass over a large cube of ice.
- Garnish with a pineapple slice.
Notes
How to make Roasted Pineapple Syrup:
Slice 1 Pineapple into 1” chunks. Spread on a baking pan and roast at 400 degrees for 30 minutes until deep yellow and brown spots are starting to appear. Transfer pineapple to a pot and add 2.5 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain syrup and keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Featured Spirit
Benton Park Swizzle
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Benton Park Swizzle
Description
This takes a traditional daiquiri to the next level with a floater of Fernet Branca and our First Run Rum.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 oz First Run Rum
- 3/4 oz Simple Syrup
- 3/4 oz Lime Juice
- 1/4 oz Fernet Branca
Instructions
- Combine rum, simple syrup and lime in a shaker.
- Add 4 mint leaves, ice, and shake hard.
- Strain contents into an ice filled glass and float 1/4 oz of Fernet Branca on top.
- Garnish with a mint leaf.
Featured Spirit
Tested Apple #2
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Tested Apple #2
Description
We're putting apple flavors to the test in this flavorful cocktail featuring our First Run Rum, along with Cognac, Scotch and Apple Cider.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz First Run Rum
- 1/2 oz Hennessey Cognac
- 1/2 oz Lime Juice
- 1 oz Vermont Apple Cider
- Splash Laphroaig Scotch
- Splash Simple Syrup
Instructions
- Add ice cubes to a rocks glass, and dust cinnamon over the cubes.
- Combine the ingredients in a shaker.
- Shake over ice and strain into the rocks glass.
- Garnish with lemon zest and a cinnamon stick.
Featured Spirit
Bourbon Street
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Bourbon Street
Description
Strawberry simple syrup tastes divine in our Bourbon Whiskey, along with Ginger Beer and lemon juice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 oz. Bourbon Whiskey
- 1/4 oz Strawberry Simple or 1 sliced strawberry muddled with simple syrup
- 3/4 oz Lemon Juice
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Fever Tree Ginger Beer
Instructions
- Shake all ingredients.
- Strain over ice into a rocks glass.
- Top with ginger beer.
- Garnish with a sliced strawberry.
Featured Spirit
Fancy Pants
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Fancy Pants
Description
Our fancy version of an Old Fashioned with Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur and our Bourbon Whiskey.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz. Bourbon Whiskey
- 1/2 oz. Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
- 2 Dashes Scrappy's Orange Bitters
- Dash Angostura Bitters
- Orange Twist
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except the orange twist in a pitcher, and stir.
- Pour contents over ice into a rocks glass.
- Garnish with an orange twist.
Featured Spirit
Pink Lemonade
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Pink Lemonade
Description
This vibrant drink is perfect in the warmer seasons, with our Vanilla Rum, Raspberry Syrup, Ginger Beer and more.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 oz Vanilla Rum
- 1/4 oz Raspberry Syrup
- 3/4 oz Lemon Juice
- 2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
- Fever Tree Ginger Beer
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients.
- Shake and strain over ice into a highball glass.
- Top with ginger beer.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Featured Spirit
Tiramisu
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Tiramisu
Description
Serve yourself some liquid dessert with this delicious Tiramisu flavored beverage, featuring our Vanilla Rum.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz Vanilla Rum
- 1 oz Espresso
- 1 oz Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
- 1 oz Skim Milk
- 2 dashes Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients.
- Shake vigorously over ice, and strain into a snifter.
- Garnish with cocoa powder, and Alice & The Magician Birthday Cake.
Featured Spirit
Mad Capri
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Mad Capri
Description
This citrus and herb flavored cocktail gets a boost from our Revolution Rye Whiskey and Prosecco.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 oz. Revolution Rye Whiskey
- 3/4 oz. Cynar Liqueur
- 1/2 oz. Lemon Juice
- 1/2 oz. Casoni 1814 Apertivo Liqueur (or Aperol)
- Prosecco
Instructions
- Shake ingredients over ice vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Double-strain into a champagne flute.
- Top with 1 oz. of prosecco.
- Garnish with an orange peel.
Featured Spirit
Mad Italian
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Mad Italian
Description
This cocktail is full of flavor and color from our Revolution Rye paired with Cocchi Americano Rosa and Cynar Liqueur.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz. Revolution Rye Whiskey
- 1/2 oz. Cocchi Americano Rosa
- 1/2 oz. Cynar Liqueur
- 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
Instructions
- Add ingredients into a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir well and strain into a coupe glass.
- Garnish with an orange peel.
Featured Spirit
Russell Warren Old Fashioned
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Russell Warren Old Fashioned
Description
This delightful cocktail blends the flavors of our Maple Cask Rum with walnut bitters and honey syrup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz Maple Cask Rum
- 1/2 oz Honey Syrup
- 1 dash Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters
- Optional: Fever Tree Club Soda
Instructions
- Stir all ingredients with a pinch of mint.
- Strain and serve over ice.
- Top with club soda if desired.
- Garnish with mint.
Featured Spirit
1794
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1794
Description
Minimal ingredients with maximum flavor featuring our Revolution Rye.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 oz. Revolution Rye Whiskey
- 1.5 oz. Campari
- 1.5 oz. Carpano Antica Vermouth
Instructions
- Stir Rye, Campari and Vermouth in a mixing glass with ice.
- Strain contents into a cocktail glass over a large cube.
- Garnish with an orange swath.
