Old Forge Distillery has released two Tennessee-focused collections of spirits with the rollout of Tennessee Roots, hand-crafted spirits inspired by local flavor and distilled from locally grown ingredients, and Distiller’s Select, a craft cocktail-focused line of neutral grain spirits infused with locally grown fruits and spices.
“While we were already using Tennessee grown non-GMO corn for our moonshine, these new releases allow us to further focus on local flavor and incorporate a wider variety of locally grown ingredients,” said Head Distiller Keener Shanton.
The first release in the Tennessee Roots collection is Harvest Gin, a 92 proof gin distilled from local muscadine grapes grown in Dandridge, Tenn. that are picked, crushed, and fermented locally. Shanton redistills the base spirit over gin botanicals, which include orange, lemon peels and juniper, and then ages the gin in a Tennessee bourbon barrel. Once the gin has aged, it is filtered with local mountain spring water.
Hand-picked by Shanton, the Distiller’s Select collection is a unique flavor combination of fruits and spices infused in neutral grain spirit that are meant to be enjoyed over ice or as a cocktail base. The three initial flavor releases, all presented at 92-proof, include: Peach Habanero, Orange Rosemary and Cherry Basil. They incorporate locally sourced ingredients like habanero peppers that are grown locally, and rosemary and basil harvested directly from gardens in Old Mill Square.
“We wanted an offering that played into the craft cocktail movement, whether that’s a bartender or a cocktail enthusiast who likes to experiment with flavor at home,” Shanton said. “We’re proud to be made in Tennessee and will continue to source local ingredients whenever possible.”
The new Tennessee-focused collections are now on shelf at Old Forge Distillery and local stores in Knoxville, Tenn.
Photo: Head Distiller Keener Shanton picking local muscadine grapes.
Old Forge Distillery Hand-Crafted Spirits Cocktail Recipes for Fall and Winter
Old Forge Tennessee Roots Harvest Gin
Fall: Harvest G&T
2 oz Old Forge TN Roots Harvest Gin
Tonic
Fresh sage
Sliced ruby red grapefruit
Glass: Collins glass
Garnish: Grapefruit twist
Preparation: Lightly muddle grapefruit and sage in bottom of glass. Top with balance of ingredients and gently stir to incorporate. Garnish.
Fall: Bourbon Barrel Martini
2 oz Old Forge TN Roots Harvest Gin
1 oz Dry Vermouth
2 dashes Orange Bitters
Glass: Martini
Garnish: Lemon twist
Preparation: Stir ingredients over ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish.
Winter: Mountain Mule
1.5 oz Old Forge TN Roots Harvest Gin
.5 oz Ginger Liqueur
Squeeze of lime
Ginger Beer
Glass: Rocks glass
Garnish: Lime wedge
Preparation: Mix ingredients over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish.
Winter: Cranberry Collins
1.5 oz Old Forge TN Roots Harvest Gin
.75 oz Triple Sec
2 oz Cranberry Juice
.25 oz Lime Juice
Soda
Glass: Collins
Garnish: Lime wedge
Preparation: Shake everything except soda with ice. Strain into a Collins glass and top with soda. Garnish.
Old Forge Distiller’s Select Cherry Basil
Fall: Cherry Codder
2 oz Old Forge Cherry Basil
Squeeze of Lime
Cranberry juice to top
Glass: Rocks
Garnish: Lime Wedge
Preparation: Build cocktail in glass and stir briefly to incorporate. Garnish.
Winter: Chocolate Covered Cherry Martini
1.5 oz Old Forge Cherry Basil
1 oz Dark Crème de Cacao
.5 oz Chocolate Syrup
Glass: Martini glass with chocolate syrup swirls
Garnish: Cherry
Preparation: Shake ingredients over ice and strain into prepared glass. Garnish.
Old Forge Distiller’s Select Orange Rosemary
Fall: Fuzzy Navel Orange
1.5 oz Old Forge Orange Rosemary
.5 oz Peach Schnapps
Orange Juice
Glass: Collins
Garnish: Orange/cherry flag
Preparation: Build ingredients in Collins glass and stir to incorporate. Garnish.
Winter: Winter Rose
1 oz Old Forge Orange Rosemary
.25 oz Simple Syrup
8 drops Rosewater
Sparkling rosé
Glass: Champagne Flute
Garnish: Edible flower
Preparation: Stir ingredients except rosé over ice. Strain into a champagne flute and top with rosé. Garnish.
Old Forge Distiller’s Select Peach Habanero
Fall: Spiced Peach Old Fashioned
2 oz Old Forge Peach Habanero
.5 oz Honey Syrup
2 dash Angostura Bitters
Glass: Rocks
Garnish: Lemon and orange twist
Preparation: Stir ingredients over ice. Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass and garnish.
Winter: Spicy Hot Chocolate
1.5 oz Old Forge Peach Habanero
.5 oz Coconut Rum
Hot Cocoa
Glass: Toddy Mug
Garnish: Cocoa powder & marshmallows
Preparation: Build ingredients in a toddy mug and stir to incorporate. Garnish.