Old Forge Distillery Releases Tennessee Roots and Distiller’s Select Spirits

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.