Comments on Benjamin's review of Death's Door Vodka and Gin
Death's Door Vodka and Gin
Description: A Local/Sustainable Spirit from Wisconsin
Local and Sustainable Vodka and Gin... From Wisconsin!??
Death's Door Spirits has been producing sustainable and local spirits for the past year with growing success. All of the ingredients are grown on Washington Island in Door County, WI. The vodka is crafted from a unique variety of red wheat grown organically on the island. The vodka recently won an American Vodka tasting competition at the Liberty Bar in Seattle, WA.
The major ingredient for the gin, Juniper Berries, are picked wild on the island and includes two other botanicals - fennel and coriander - for a fresh, clean, and slightly sweet taste. Some of the finest cocktail lounges in the Midwest, including the Violet Hour in Chicago serve Death's Door Spirits with pride. Many have stated that this Gin is what they believe to be the closest thing to a Pre-Prohibition Gin that is currently in production today. This sweet gin does not overwhelm you with botanicals but provides a great crisp taste that mixes well in Aviation Cocktail, Martinez, Clover Club, Amperstand.
The company focuses on food pairings, pre-prohibition cocktails, and infusions. The website has a great deal of information include recipes, further information about the farmers involved, the process, and stories.
Death's Door Spirits can be found in fine establishments in Indiana, Kentucky, Seattle, Minnesota, but distribution is mainly focused in Wisconsin and the greater Chicagoland area. Future expansion into several East and West Coast markets is expected in the near future.
A Great Taste from the Great Lakes
Benjamin's keywords: Vodka, Gin, Spirits, Cocktails, Wisconsin, Wheat, Sustainable, Organic, Local, Door County
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Jenn A. says:
Great review - sounds very interesting! Maybe we'll have to taste test it here in the office so we can write some reviews!
Chris L. says:
Benjamin, tell me where the micro-distillery is located in Door County Wisconsin?
Benjamin W. says:
Hi,
The distillery is actually located in Madison, WI. We bring all the ingredients across Death's Door (the name of the body of water between Door County (mainland WI) and Washington Island. The wheat is then processed at a local grain elevator and then hauled to Madison where the distilling begins. A large portion of this wheat is actually used to create two different local beers by Capital Brewery www.capital-brewery.com ... Island Wheat and Rustic Ale - both fantastic. Also starting this upcoming month wheat from Washington Island will be featured in a whole grain pasta from a local company in Madison - R.P. Pasta www,rpspasta.com
All good stuff! Buy and support local!
Benjamin W. says:
Jenn -
We have three distributors in CA that are interested in our product... I will let you know when that happens. This tasting you refer to could be a reality soon! Apparently, we have had great reviews in the SF area. Cheers!
Laura M. says:
I know of one distillery in madison, yahara bay distillers, where is the death's door distillery?
Benjamin W. says:
Laura -
Actually, Death's Door Spirits and Yahara Bay share a facility just south of the Beltline off of Fish Hatchery Road. Death's Door had a facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa but it was flooded during the June, 2008 floods. If you are interested in a short tour or hearing more I could help arrange that for you.
Have a good one -
James T. says:
ben w.
how about you come clean here...
too many people have purchased your vodka thinking 1st that your vodka was made in door county...only to discover that it was made in Iowa by a wine maker / distiller in iowa...can't remember the name of the place... now you pretend that you have a facility in Madison... Yahara Bay makes it for you...
i work at a liquor store in madison and am very interested in the new craft distilleries popping up and you are not one of them... so many people have talked to me about you guys and they feel very deceived and in some cases pissed off... stop portraying yourself as a distiller or a distillery... anybody can hire a distillery to make a product for them... your chat threads are all over the place and you really try to portray yourself as something you are not
JUST READ THIS CHAT THREAD!!!!!
Brian E. says:
James,
I would be happy to discuss with you our process, our relationship with both Yahara Bay Distillers and Cedar Ridge Vineyards, and how we are intimately involved in the distilling of our products.
To be clear:
Farmers Tom and Ken Koyen grow wheat on Washington Island, WI which is then taken through the process of being converted from raw grain to malted grain (Briess Malting, Chilton, WI), then malted grain to beer (Capital Brewery, Middleton, WI), then from beer to distilled spirits (Yahara Bay Distillers dba Death's Door Distillery, Madison, WI). Death's Door Spirits has license over the formulations and the process- we developed it, we maintain it and we protect it. I can understand that it may seem deceptive that we are in a contract distilling relationship with Yahara Bay Distillers.
I would be happy to stop by the liquor store where you work to chat further. Thanks for your comments.
Best,
Brian Ellison, President
Death’s Door Spirits
brian@deathsdoorspirits.com
608/441-1083
Brian E. says:
James,
I thought I should disclose that Ben W. does not work for Death's Door Spirits but he is a friend of mine.
Best,
Brian