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Distillery profile

Wild Hare

Explore the distillery's history, craft, production, and the distinctive character of its whiskies.

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Wild Hare Distillery

About the Distillery

Wild Hare Distillery in Tempe, Arizona, is a locally owned small-batch distillery with two clear lines: DROVE, a 100% Blue Weber agave series, and WHD, a range of small-batches of whiskey, gin and vodka. The distillery combines pot-still techniques with maceration and repeated distillation for vodka and offers guided 120-minute tasting experiences in the tasting room. The products are available at the distillery, in selected Total Wine stores in the Phoenix metro area, and at a handful of restaurants in the region.

History

Wild Hare Distillery is run by co-owners Wendy Tilton and Jim Matz and has built a portfolio consisting of DROVE (100% Blue Weber agave) and WHD (small-batches of whiskey, gin and vodka). The distillery offers both in-house distribution from the tasting room and collaborations with retailers in the Phoenix Metro area as well as shipping to 47 states through a partner. In September 2021, WHD Straight Rye Whiskey 90 Proof was introduced as a single-barrel release, quickly becoming popular in the tasting room. In addition to its own brands, collaborations and special projects are pursued, and the company offers white-labeling and create-your-own barrel solutions to external partners.

Raw Materials and Production

The DROVE line is built on imported Blue Weber agave nectar from Jalisco, where the distillery uses a pot still to preserve the characteristic agave flavor. The nectar includes both highland and lowland portions; highland is described as sweeter and lowland as more earthy. WHD whiskeys are based on classic grain blends; for example WHD Whiskey 90 uses a sour mash recipe with corn, rye and barley. Some WHD whiskeys are distilled in Tennessee, while the rye release is distilled in Indiana. WHD Vodka is distilled seven times and undergoes extra activated charcoal filtration, while WHD Gin is produced by macerating 11 botanicals for 24 hours and then pot-distilling. The distillery’s practice includes using natural flavor enhancers and avoiding added sugar or artificial colorings in the DROVE products.

Maturation and Cask Types

The distillery’s approach to aging ranges from experimental short-step processes to single-cask releases. WHD Whiskey 90 uses a two-stage process with first new white American oak #3 char for 4–6 months and then a second new white American oak with #2 char (medium toast) for about six weeks; the secondary cask is described as mechanically modified with cross cuts and honeycomb structure. The Rye single-barrel release is noted as a single-barrel aging of around 3.5 years. Barrel-strength rye is released directly from the barrel (proof over 116). The signature Red Headed Hare is created by aging bourbon and barrel-strength rye separately and then marrying them in a patented Black-Swan barrel.

Whiskies

The portfolio is divided into two main lines: DROVE (100% Blue Weber agave, organic/non-GMO) and WHD (small-batches of bourbon, rye, gin and vodka). Core offerings include WHD Whiskey 90 (bourbon), several rye releases including a single-barrel rye and a barrel-strength rye, Red Headed Hare (a high-rye blend), as well as WHD Vodka, WHD Chocolate Vodka and WHD Gin. In addition, collaborative projects such as Leveret Small Batch Gin are produced. The products are sold from the distillery, at select Total Wine stores in the Phoenix area, and at a few restaurants and bars in surrounding towns.

Whiskey Type / Series Alcohol Age Cask and Style Flavor Profile Status
WHD Whiskey 90 (Bourbon) Bourbon New white American oak #3 char; finish: barreling in #3 char for 4–6 months followed by transfer to another new white American oak with #2 char (medium toasted) for about 6 weeks; secondary cask described as mechanically modified with cross cuts and honeycomb structure. Sour mash whiskey recipe distilled in Tennessee according to the WHD recipe. Use of new white American oak casks in a two-stage process to achieve straight whiskey character without a long traditional aging period. Current; Core range; Available from the distillery and select retailers
WHD Straight Rye Whiskey 90 Proof (Single Barrel) Rye 45 % approx. 3.5 years (stated on product page) Single barrel; finish: single-barrel aging; product text notes that this single-barrel release was introduced in September 2021 and described as around 3.5 years old. Rye recipe: 95% rye and 5% barley. Distillation for this release was performed in Indiana; single-barrel and popular at tasting-room sales. Current; Core range; Available at the distillery and select retailers
WHD Straight Rye Whiskey (Barrel Strength) Rye (Barrel Strength) Straight from barrel; finish: released directly from the barrel; the text indicates the proof is over 116 (proof, not ABV). Barrel-strength release of the distillery’s straight rye; aimed at those who want more 'heat' and the spicy character of rye, plus sweetness from the barrel. Current; Core range; Available at the distillery
WHD Red Headed Hare (Crimson Cross Hare) High-rye blend (bourbon + barrel-strength rye) 50 % Black-Swan patented barrel (marrying barrel); finish: blended by aging WHD 90 bourbon and barrel-strength straight rye separately and then marrying them in a patented Black-Swan barrel. A high-rye blend created by combining the character of WHD 90 Bourbon with barrel-strength rye after individual aging; presented at 100 Proof (50% ABV) and marketed as a complex high-rye blend. Current; Core range; Available at the distillery and select retailers
DROVE Cristal 100% Blue Weber Agave spirit Base product in the DROVE line: 100% Blue Weber agave, organic and non-GMO. Nectar imported from Jalisco with a blend of highland and lowland nectar. No added sugar or artificial colorings. Agave flavor preserved through the use of a pot still. Current; Core range; Available at the distillery and select retailers
WHD Vodka Vodka 100% corn vodka, distilled seven times and filtered with extra activated charcoal for a smoother profile. Current; Core range; Available via the distillery and select retailers
WHD Chocolate Vodka Flavored vodka WHD Vodka infused with Ugandan chocolate nibs; based on 100% corn and the same 7x distillation and charcoal filtration process as WHD Vodka. Current; Core range; Mail-order/online and distillery
WHD Gin Gin 45.7 % Pot-distilled gin after 24 hours of maceration of 11 botanicals; highlights citrus (lemon, lime, orange), green tea and floral notes. Alcohol by volume listed as 45.70% ABV. Current; Core range; Available via mail-order (see buy online link) and distillery
Leveret Small Batch Gin Gin (Collaborative); Collaborations Collaborative project created over several years of development; the recipe was refined through tastings and includes a broad range of botanicals to create a shrimp tale from start to finish. Current; Available at the distillery and select channels

The Whiskies’ Style and Flavor Profile

Flavor directions in the lineup span several clear profiles: WHD Gin highlights citrus (lemon, lime, orange) as well as green tea and floral notes, rye releases mention oak-driven caramel and toffee sweetness, and the DROVE releases describe a highland (sweeter) versus lowland (more earthy) agave character. There are also flavor variants such as chocolate-infused vodka, showing that the portfolio covers fresh citrus, wood-driven sweetness, and a distinct agave character.

Visit the Distillery

Visits are by reservation: Wild Hare offers a Distillery Experience of about 120 minutes, guided by Wendy or Jim through production and tasting of the products. The tasting room and distillery can accommodate 8–16 guests, with a separate private suite available for an additional ~16 people. The tasting room’s current hours are maintained on Google Business; peak times are Friday and Saturday from roughly 11:00 to 19:00. The warehouse area can be warm when the stills are running; book by phone/text or email, and note the age limit (21+).

The stated opening hours are the tasting room hours maintained on Google Business; popular days are Friday and Saturday from roughly 11:00 to 19:00. In most weeks, hours are listed Tuesday–Saturday on Google Business.

Philosophy and Craft

Wild Hare Distillery prioritizes small-batch craftsmanship, local suppliers, and natural ingredients. The DROVE products are produced without added sugar or artificial colorings, and the agave flavor is preserved through pot-still distillation. Ownership emphasizes local collaboration, while the distillery offers flexible solutions such as white-labeling and bespoke barrel projects.

Awards and Recognitions

  • Silver Award (Silver), WHD Whiskey 90 (Bourbon)

  • Silver Award (Silver), WHD Straight Rye Whiskey 90 Proof (Single Barrel)

  • Silver Award (Silver), WHD Straight Rye Whiskey (Barrel Strength)

  • Gold Award (Gold), WHD Red Headed Hare (Crimson Cross Hare)

  • Gold Medal (Gold), WHD Gin

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