Missouri Ridge Distillery
Overview of the Distillery
Missouri Ridge Distillery is located near Branson, Missouri, and is a family-owned grain-to-bottle distillery as well as the city's first brewery. Master Distiller M. Gregory Pope and his wife Jolie run a small-batch production of whiskies, moonshines and beer, while also serving BBQ and offering a tasting room. The distillery combines local ingredients and Ozark water with modern equipment and welcoming hospitality.
History
M. Gregory Pope and his wife Jolie founded Missouri Ridge Distillery in 2015, building on a three-generation-old distilling tradition that Greg inherited from his grandfather. By 2017 the distillery had earned recognition with several medals at the Denver International Spirits Competition, including gold for their Single Barrel Bourbon and American Single Malt, as well as for products in the Howlin' Hounds series. In 2019 the couple added a brewery license and began expanding a brewhouse; the work was delayed by COVID-19 in 2020, during which the distillery produced 54,000 gallons of hand sanitizer for distribution in several states. The brewery license was planned for spring 2021 as a natural extension of their portfolio.
Ingredients and Production
Missouri Ridge operates as a grain-to-bottle distillery and produces small-batch whiskies, moonshines and beer. Production is led by Master Distiller M. Gregory Pope and combines state-of-the-art equipment with family recipes and ingredients from American farmers. The water for production is sourced from the deep limestone base of the Ozark Mountains, noted as an important element of the distillery's aroma and flavor profile. The distillery produces corn-based products, barley-based single malts and sugar-based moonshines, and guests can sample throughout the day and request a tour when staff are available.
Aging and Barrel Types
Direct information about cask types and aging details is limited. It appears, however, that the distillery uses a single-barrel practice in connection with their bourbon, categorized as small-batch and described as 10 years old and younger in competition descriptions. There are no further documented details about the use of new oak barrels, sherry or port wine casks, or special finishes in the available material.
Whiskies
The portfolio consists of award-winning whiskies and moonshines as well as planned brewery production. Notable products mentioned are a Single Barrel Bourbon, an American Single Malt, and the Howlin' Hounds series with moonshine, White Lightning and corn whiskey. In addition to spirits, the place also produces beer and offers BBQ in the tasting room, giving guests a broader range of flavors.
| Whiskey | Type / Series | Age | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey | Bourbon | 10 years and younger | A single-barrel bourbon, categorized as small-batch bourbon (10 years old and younger). The product received a gold medal at the Denver International Spirits Competition in 2017. |
| American Single Malt Whiskey | American Single Malt | American single malt released by the distillery and awarded gold at the Denver International Spirits Competition in 2017. | |
| Howlin' Hounds Moonshine | Moonshine (sugar cane based) | Howlin' Hounds Moonshine is a sugar-based moonshine in the Howlin' Hounds series, which received a gold medal at the Denver International Spirits Competition in 2017. | |
| Howlin' Hounds White Lightning | Moonshine (sugar cane based) | White Lightning from the Howlin' Hounds series is a sugar-based moonshine that won gold in 2017 at the Denver competition. | |
| Howlin' Hounds Corn Whiskey | Corn Whiskey | A corn whiskey in the Howlin' Hounds family, noted as a medal winner at the Denver International Spirits Competition in 2017. |
Visit the Distillery
The distillery is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm and is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Tastings are offered throughout the day, and tours are casual and take place according to staff availability, so you can ask upon arrival. BBQ is served, especially popular on Fridays and Saturdays, and there is often live entertainment during the summer months.
The stated hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 11am to 6pm | Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Philosophy and Craft
Missouri Ridge highlights family heritage and small-batch craftsmanship as the cornerstones of their production. They practice grain-to-bottle production, emphasize ingredients from American farmers, and highlight the Ozark water's limestone profile as an important ingredient. The combination of modern equipment and time-honored recipes is central to their approach to crafting their products.
Prices and Recognitions
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Gold - Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey (2017, Gold, Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey)
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Gold - American Single Malt Whiskey (2017, Gold, American Single Malt Whiskey)
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Gold - Howlin' Hounds Moonshine (2017, Gold, Howlin' Hounds Moonshine)
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Gold - Howlin' Hounds White Lightning (2017, Gold, Howlin' Hounds White Lightning)
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Medal - Howlin' Hounds Corn Whiskey (2017, Medal, Howlin' Hounds Corn Whiskey)
Latest News
MRD Takes Top Awards – 2017-03-20
On March 20, 2017, Missouri Ridge Distillery announced that they won several medals at the Denver International Spirits Competition, including gold for Single Barrel Bourbon, American Single Malt and two Howlin' Hounds products. The competition was judged double-blind by professionals.