Black Bear Distillery

Historie

• The distillery is based in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado, in a 70-year-old log cabin located about 7,800 feet above sea level.

• The site's content is clearly dated around 2013, with later posts and updates in 2015–2016 describing the process and opening.

• A central part of the story is family heritage (five generations of distillers) and a long history that ties American and Irish elements together through the concept of "Irish Style" and a mission to be a mission-driven distillery focused on charity and community engagement.

Produktion

• Unstated production philosophy: a full “grain to glass” approach with close collaboration with local farmers and sustainability as core pillars.

• Local and sustainable raw materials: grains are milled and malted locally; use of non-GMO corn from local producers and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe products; use of natural water from Colorado.

• Malting and preparation: house-malted barley and equipment such as an antique mill (a thousand-pound mill wheel system) and solar-powered malting facilities, along with opening processes for green malt; drying and milling are performed with fire without the addition of peat (fire from local wood varieties).

• Energy and environment: solar arrays and a generator to run the mill and pumps; byproducts from grain go to local agriculture; efforts to be net-free and green in the long term.

• Production equipment: hand-hammered 400-gallon pot stills (modified in-house for extra copper contact) and then aged in charred American oak barrels.

• Products: three products make up the “Black Bear Line” with distinctive traits – a focus on craftsmanship and an ultra-artisan approach.

Whiskyprodukter

• Black Bear Irish Style Bourbon

• Flagship of the Black Bear Line.

• Description: a sherry-stave-finished bourbon with a grain-forward, barley-centric profile.

• Mash Bill: 51% non-GMO corn from Colorado, 30% pale malted barley from Alamosa, 10% raw barley, 9% heirloom Colorado wheat.

• Treatment: aged in new charred bourbon barrels (New Char 3 Bourbon Barrels) and finished with oloroso sherry staves.

• Flavor profile described as complex, with deep oak and vanilla, citrus notes and floral/fruit notes from the Irish Style blend of Irish tradition and American bourbon.

• Notes on uniqueness: the world’s only “Irish Style” whiskey concept combining Irish tradition with American ingredients and aging at Colorado's altitude and temperature.

• Other Black Bear Line products are mentioned (such as rums and vodka), but they are not whiskies, and therefore not included as whiskey products in this list.

Smagsnoter

• Black Bear Irish Style Bourbon:

• Described as deep and complex with oak, vanilla, and citrus notes.

• Floral and fruity notes are mentioned in the context of the mash bill and aging techniques (Irish Style blend of malt and grain).

• The sherry finish adds fruitiness and depth to the flavor.

• The blend creates a broad, fruity and citrus-forward profile with British-Irish inspiration and American bourbon character.

Begivenheder og nyheder

• Opening and development updates: a new entry is mentioned in September 2016 noting that they are finally underway (NEW ENTRY SEPTEMBER 2016).

• Awards and recognitions: Black Bear Irish Style Bourbon is named winner of Best American Whiskey Under 10 Years at the Los Angeles International Competition; the text also highlights several medals for the Black Bear Line (11 Gold, 3 Silver, 10 Bronze, 4 Best of Category).

• Mission and community engagement: the distillery describes its vision as a mission distillery and its work with animal- and human-welfare charities (donkey rescues, Work Training Center, Yobel Market, and other charitable causes).

Virksomhedens filosofi og værdier

• Quality and craftsmanship: an ultra-artisan and true micro approach to production; focus on low volume, high quality and a unique flavor profile.

• Local and sustainability: collaboration with local farmers, non-GMO ingredients, use of Colorado spring water, solar power to run operations, and sustainable processes (recycling byproducts).

• Innovation and tradition: combination of old-school craft (on-site malting, antique mills, manual milling) with innovative initiatives (Irish Style concept, sherry stave finish, copper contact in the stills).

• Social responsibility and faith: the distillery describes itself as "God’s Distillery" and prioritizes mission and charity, as well as partnerships with children’s and animal charities; strong emphasis on faith and family history as the driving force.