Mammoth Distilling

Brief about the Distillery

Mammoth Distilling is a Northern Michigan craft distillery that builds its spirits on local ingredients and the clean water from Torch Lake. The range encompasses a modern 'Northern' gin, a technically base-distilled vodka, a series of summer infusions, and a growing lineup of rye and bourbon whiskeys. The distillery's methods emphasize highlighting each ingredient's character through tailored distillation and blending.

Raw Materials and Production

Mammoth combines local ingredient sourcing with detailed distillation techniques. The vodka is distilled in-house on a 650-liter Christian Carl hybrid still, where the vapor can be routed through long or short paths depending on the desired character; the vodka distillate is brought to 190 proof before dilution with Torch Lake water. For gin, fractional distillation is used: each botanical is distilled in the method that best brings out its aroma — puréed juniper berries are steam-distilled, small branches of white fir are macerated for 24 hours and redistilled in an alembic, while lavender and sage are combined and steam-distilled. Each fraction is proofed separately to just above bottling strength and then blended, after which the mixture rests in a stainless steel tank before bottling. Infused vodkas are made with local fruits such as Michigan cherries, strawberries from Brownwood Acres, and rhubarb from King Orchards on a 100% corn base.

Whiskies

The range spans from technically refined base products to more characterful infusions and a range of whiskey types. At the center is Mammoth Gin, a contemporary 'Northern' gin made from six botanicals distilled separately, as well as Mammoth Vodka, a base-distilled vodka made with local corn and Torch Lake water. Alongside, the distillery offers a series of infused vodkas — cherry, strawberry-rhubarb and lavender — as well as a number of whiskey names such as Northern Rye (No. 01–04), Woolly Rye, Woolly Bourbon, Northern Bourbon, Northern Single Malt and Rosen Rye. There are also specialties and liqueurs such as Cherry Bounce and Coffee Liqueur, as well as a barrel-finished gin.

The whiskies' style and flavor profile

The overall style ranges from pure, grain-forward vodka to floral and herbaceous gins and distinct fruit profiles in the infusions. Documented flavor directions include fruity notes (cherry, strawberry, rhubarb), floral/herbal notes (lavender, sage) and coniferous/citrus notes (white fir, citrus zest) that carry in the gin's composition. These directions recur in the product texts and give the impression of a distillery that cultivates both fruity and herbaceous expressions.

Visit the Distillery

Mammoth communicates a strong focus on experiences and lists several locations in their menu, including Traverse City, Grand Rapids, Bellaire, Bay Harbor, Adrian, and Central Lake. Under menu items such as 'Experiences' appear types of events like whiskey blending, pairing dinners, and wedding events. Products can be purchased online and via a 'Find a Store' function, and the distillery offers events and experiential offerings tied to their locations.

Philosophy and Craftsmanship

Mammoth works explicitly with local ingredients and focuses on letting each ingredient shine: the role of water from Torch Lake, the use of local botanicals, and precise distillation techniques to extract the best aromas are central values. The distillery's approach is technical and ingredient-driven, from individual botanical distillates to careful proofing and blending.