The bountiful region of Wisconsin is rich with peat, bogs, an amazing aquifer, and uncommon sandy soil for Driftless Glen Distillery’s grains to grow in. 

Their edge of the Driftless Area is known as Sand County and is distinctive from the rest of the world because of the specific combination of temperature, water, soil, and weather – which all combine to help form their remarkable spirits.

3 of their top spirits won Silvers at the London Spirits Competition 2022, among more than 2000 participating spirits that were judged by a panel of the country’s best bartenders, spirit buyers and bar managers/owners based on quality, value and packaging. 

Each of the Driftless Glen Distillery’s award-winning spirits has its own hot American version of classic whiskey cocktails.

Esquire Martini by 51 Rye Whiskey

The 87-point winner Rye Whiskey has notes of pine, berries, toffee, coffee, vanilla, oak, pepper and spices with herbal and toasted hints. It has a buttery character and a pleasant balance of spices.

The Signature cocktail is a sweet and sour cocktail with a beautiful cherry in the middle of the glass - easy to whip up at home and perfect for any occasion. 

Image : Esquire Martini

Ingredients : 

1 & 3/4 oz 51 Rye Whiskey

1 oz Sweet and Sour Mix

1/2 oz Lemonade

1 Cherry

Method : 

In a shaker tin, add your 51 rye whiskey, sweet & sour mix, and lemonade. Shake, strain, and serve in a martini glass. Sink one cherry for garnish.

Maple Old Fashioned by Straight Rye Whiskey Small Batch

The Straight Rye Whiskey that claimed 84 points has a light golden color with notes of sweet spices, nuts, vanilla, caramel and honey. It has a sharp and assertive taste with a creamy and fruity character on the plate, and a dry finish.

Image : Maple Old Fashioned

Ingredients : 

2 Orange Slices

3 Cherries

1 Piece of Bacon

1/2 oz Simple Syrup

2 Dashes of Walnut Bitters

1/4 oz Maple Balsamic

2 oz Rye Whiskey

Sour

Sprite

Method : 

In an old-fashioned glass, add one orange slice, two cherries, the simple syrup, bitters, and maple balsamic. Muddle! Then, add ice and the rye whiskey. Top with sour and sprite. Garnish with an orange slice, cherry, and a delicious piece of bacon! 

Blackberry Old Fashioned Straight Bourbon Whiskey Small Batch

The Straight Bourbon Whiskey has a candied fruity nose with hints of wood, spices, caramel and vanilla. It starts with a pleasant burst of flavours on the palate and has a sweet character which ends with a buttery finish. 

The whiskey won 79 points and is perfect for a good old-fashioned with a blackberry twist.

Image : Blackberry Old Fashioned

Ingredients : 

2 Orange Slices

2 Blackberries

1/4 oz Blackberry Ginger Balsamic

2 Dashes of Whiskey Barrel-Aged Bitters

1/2 oz Simple Syrup

2 oz Bourbon

Sour

Sprite

1 Cherry

Method : 

In an old-fashioned glass, add the orange slice, blackberries, blackberry ginger balsamic, bitters, and simple syrup. Muddle! Then add ice and bourbon. Top with sour and sprite. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry! 

Written by Stuti Khetan, Beverage Trade Network