Wisconsin Distillery Upcycles Bourbon Barrels in Inaugural Aged Gin Release
Wisconsin-based spirits producer La Crosse Distilling Co. unveils its very first barrel-aged gin. (Photo: La Crosse Distilling Co.)
Wisconsin’s La Crosse Distilling Company has unveiled its first aged gin. Embracing sustainable practices, the distillery utilized repurposed barrels in the new release, offering a second life to bourbon casks typically discarded after a single use.
Speaking with local news outlet WI Proud, Angela Weber, marketing director for La Crosse Distilling Company, underscored the significance of this upcycling approach.
“This is helpful because a lot of bourbon barrels are just used one time to age bourbon,” Weber shared. “So being able to recycle and upcycle the barrels to age the barrel-aged and gives it, you know, just another purpose and allows for us to be a little bit more sustainable and creative in the ways that we produce new products.”
In addition to the use of these barrels, the distillery is actively curbing its ecological impact by partnering with local farms. According to the report, McHugh Farms is one such collaborator, contributing to the distillery’s commitment to sustainable practices. By transforming byproducts into a biologically active, all-natural fertilizer, the farm supports the growth of open-pollinated grains integral to the distillation process.
Weber further highlighted the environmental conscientiousness of the local farmers, emphasizing practices such as minimal tillage and no-till as essential components of La Crosse Distilling Company’s supply chain.
“It’s just a great choice for people in this area to support local business and also support businesses that are trying to be more sustainable and create better a smaller footprint,” Weber added in the report.
The distillery plans to release just 100 bottles of the barrel-aged gin on Feb. 24, dubbing it “Fieldnotes Barrel Aged Gin.”
About La Crosse Distilling Co.
Based in Wisconsin’s Driftless Region, La Crosse Distilling Co. seeks to capture the essence of the untouched bioregion with Driftless Pure, a commitment to organic, sustainable spirits. Collaborating with family farmers using a “Farmer Forward” approach, the distillery crafts its products using heirloom ingredients and water sourced from local glacial aquifers. The geothermal-powered building also hosts a tasting room, where visitors can sample its range of gin, vodka and whiskey.
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