World Whisky Day arrives May 20 this year, giving us all an excuse to sip a little of the good stuff – whether you’re celebrating whisky or whiskey. Here are seven whiskeys you can find from Columbus distilleries!
Since its founding more than a decade ago, Middle West Spirits has netted international acclaim for its roster of vodkas, gins, bourbons, and whiskeys. I’m personally partial to their Straight Wheat Whiskey, but their Ported Pumpernickel Rye Whiskey – part of their Double Cask Collection – features a lovely spice that’s balanced out by caramel, vanilla, and stonefruit from its time in oak and port barrels.
Learn more: middlewestspirits.com/spirits/whiskey/mws-ported-pumpernickel-rye-whiskey
Noble Cut features an interesting portfolio of fruit cellos, vodka, and whiskeys flavored with apple, dark cherry, peach, and maple. Their Salted Caramel Whiskey recalls all the buttery richness of caramel candy with a touch of salt. Bonus: you can taste Noble Cut’s whiskeys and purchase a bottle in their newly renovated tasting room in Gahanna.
Learn more: noblecutdistillery.com/pages/flavored-whiskey
In a few short years, High Bank Distillery has grown to two restaurants – with a third just announced – and a collection of vodka, gin, and especially whiskeys that have earned repeated international awards. Their Whiskey War has now earned three consecutive nods for Best Blended Whiskey in America at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, starting with their barrel proof version in 2021. It balances a rye-heavy mash with vanilla, caramel, and ginger.
Learn more: highbankdistillery.com/whiskey-war-barrel-proof
From their small Grandview distillery, Echo Spirits has produced a fascinating array of rums, vodka, and genever (a malted whiskey flavored like a gin). Their boldly spicy Rye Whiskey is marked with complex floral and fruit notes. Bonus: they just released a new barrel-proof version of the rye. (We recommend tasting their spirits and expert cocktails at The Bar at Echo Spirits.)
Learn more: echospirits.com/spirits/rye-whiskey
Owner and distiller Chad Kessler works to feature under-represented spirits at his Clintonville distillery. So it’s the place to go for experimental whiskeys, flavored rums, even absinthe. His Bone Shaker Whiskey is a standard, blending a mash bill of barley, rye, and oats highlighted with roasted and chocolate malts.
Learn more: 451spirits.com/curbside-pickup/p/bone-shaker
Over recent years Watershed Distillery has rapidly expanded its portfolio of aged spirits, and its oldest spirit to date is their six-year barrel strength bourbon. After spending time in oak barrels, it’s finished off in barrels that held their apple brandy. The resulting spirit is autumn in a bottle: apples, nuts, baking spices, and caramel.
Learn more: watersheddistillery.com/barrel-strength-bourbon
Endeavor is the double threat in that it’s the city’s only “brewstillery.” Their Grandview taproom is a hub for soccer fans and more community events. On top of their unique lineup of beers, Endeavor produces vodka, gin, and cask-aged versions of them, plus a couple whiskeys. Its two-year-aged bourbon whiskey arrived in early 2022 and has already taken home medals at the U.S. Open Spirits Championship.
Learn more: endeavorbrewing.com/spirits
Echo Spirits image courtesy facebook.com/echospirits; 451 Spirits image courtesy 451spirits.com; Endeavor image courtesy facebook.com/endeavorbrewstillery
