On the first anniversary of the release of Rossville Union Rye Whiskey, MGP has announced an all-new Rossville Union Barrel Select program.
The Lawrenceburg, Indiana distilling giant has long been a popular source for rye and bourbon for non-distilling producers. Bourbon brands can contract distill with MGP or purchase aged barrels for blending and bottling. The distillery doesn’t disclose their clients, but a quick online search (or a peek at the back label of a bottle) will tell you that a few of your favorite whiskeys might be made in Lawrenceburg.
MGP stayed behind the scenes for years, making a famous 95% rye recipe whiskey that had long earned Lawrenceburg the nickname “Whiskey City, USA.” But it wasn’t until last year that they released Rossville Union, the first rye whiskey under their own label. The name is a nod to George Ross, who in 1847 built Rossville Distillery atop the same limestone aquifer that MGP draws from today.
Rossville Union Rye comes in two expressions – Master Crafted, at four years of age and a palatable 94 proof, and Barrel Proof, at 112.6. Each of the bottlings is a blend of under 150 barrels of various rye recipes in MGP’s expansive warehouses.
“Rossville Union Barrel Select combines two of our greatest strengths: first, our longstanding history of making great ryes in historic Lawrenceburg, and second, our exceptional blending expertise,” said Andrew Mansinne, Vice President of Brands at MGP in a press release this morning.
The program, which will begin this fall, allows whiskey lovers their first chance to see anything behind the scenes at MGP. This isn’t a distillery with a Disneyland Tour – they’ve never been open to the public. Accounts that participate in the program will join the MGP team in Lawrenceburg not to simply select a single barrel but to create a completely custom blend.
“Rossville Union Barrel Select allows us to offer a one-of-a-kind solution for accounts to select the perfect mingling and custom bottling for their customers. We’re thrilled that this new program coincides with the first anniversary of Rossville Union and caps a year that has exceeded our expectations for Rossville Union,” added Mansinne.
Barrel pick programs have become increasingly popular as a way for bars, liquor stores, and private groups to select a specialty bottling. While the selection is usually by the single barrel, a couple other distilleries, notably Maker’s Mark, offer a way for their fans to put a more personal touch on their bottles with finishes, blends, and more.