Le Claire, Iowa, September 10, 2014 - Mississippi River Distilling Company is breaking ground on a new barrel storage warehouse and patio area in downtown LeClaire.  The nearly four year old distillery is increasing their footprint in order to age more of their popular Cody Road Bourbon and Cody Road Rye whiskies.

The project has been talked about since the distillery's inception in 2010.  "The city owned the land directly south of our building and the vision was always to have some sort of public plaza there." said Mississippi River Distilling Company owner Ryan Burchett.  "The idea was to break up the buildings and allow for river views from the highway.  But we never figured out the details on how it was to be developed because the empty lot to our south hasn't been developed yet."

Over the years, demand for the distillery's Cody Road whiskies has grown.  They now have distribution in 22 states and 3 foreign countries.  "We're thrilled that people want our whiskies.  But with more people buying it, we have to be putting more away in barrels to keep up with demand on down the road." Said Burchett.

As space got tight in the existing facility, owners say the perfect opportunity presented itself right beside them.  "We needed space and the city had an empty lot sitting next door."  Said owner Garrett Burchett.  "So we offered to purchase the lot and develop it in exchange for a public easement on top that would allow for visitors to access the plaza area as originally envisioned.  We gained over 1,400 square feet of barrel storage and a patio; the city gets the public area we all hoped for from the beginning."

LeClaire Mayor Bob Scannell says it is a win-win for everyone.  "From the City's perspective, we have a great business in LeClaire that continues to grow.  With this investment, the distillery gets stronger and we get a nice addition to our riverfront.  It's all done with private dollars and returns the land to the tax rolls. It's just great progress for all of us."

Burchett says the construction should be complete in about 6 weeks. "It's kind of like a big concrete garage, so it shouldn't take too long.  The top will be at street level and will be a large patio with public access from Highway 67.  Our tasting room will have a door out to the plaza as well.  Underneath will be a 57 by 25 foot barrel room."  The project is being handled by Friemel Construction of Bettendorf.

As this construction commences, LeClaire city officials are beginning to consider a separate brewery project to the north of the distillery.  The new Green Tree Brewing Company goes before the LeClaire Planning and Zoning committee on Thursday with hopes to break ground on the LeClaire riverfront later this fall.  "With everything going on in downtown LeClaire, we through this would be the perfect location for our new brewery."  said owner Richard Day.  "With the distillery next door, we think it will make the area even more of a destination and give LeClaire another first class attraction."

The brewery also plans construction of a similar plaza area just north of their building.  "The City has another 25 foot plaza area just north of our development." said Day.  "We're proposing to handle the construction exactly the same way as the distillery has.  We think it's a great solution for all involved."

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Le Claire, Iowa, February 3, 2014 - Proving they are "Still Crazy," Mississippi River Distilling Company will release a new limited bottling in their Still Crazy series, "Six Shooter Smoke" on Friday, February 7.  There were just over 1,000 bottles of this specialty made.  This is rye whiskey with a cherry wood smoked six row barley added to give it a sweet, smoky nose and finish.

"We've had fun messing around with unusual flavors." said owner and distiller Ryan Burchett.  "Smoke flavor is nothing new to whiskey as Scotch whiskies are well known for their peaty smoke flavor.  But by using cherry wood smoked barley, this whiskey finished with a sweetness and smoke that is more reminiscent of a barbecue than a bottle of Scotch."

On Friday, February 7, MRDC will also be celebrating First Friday.  Chef Steph will have Six Shooter Smoke Cheddar fondue along with chocolate and Iowa Coffee Company Coffee Liqueur fondue to taste.  We'll be featuring the Moscow Mule made with River Pilot Vodka, fresh lime juice and ginger beer in the tasting room along with a Cody Road Hot Toddy.  Just what you need to get through this long winter!

The second in the Union Jack series of pint glasses will also be available Friday night.  For every bottle of spirits you purchase, you'll receive a pint glass that says "God Save The Gin."  Also available to purchase are is first of the series, "Stay Calm, Drink Whiskey" glass.

Mississippi River Distilling Company is open from 10 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday and from 12 to 5 PM Sundays.  Free tours are offered to the public daily on the hour from 12 to 4 PM or by appointment.  The tour takes visitors through the entire distilling process.  Tours end in the Grand Tasting Room with free samples of products for those patrons over 21 years of age.

LeClaire, Iowa, June 5, 2013 - This Friday marks Mississippi River Distilling Company's monthly First Friday.  This open house social will be held June 7 from 5:30 - 8 p.m.  MRDC and Chef Stephanie are planning a real treat for everyone who comes out, Bourbon Ice Cream featuring Cody Road Bourbon.  We'll be sampling a cocktail just for the evening called Ananda.  It starts with River Rose Gin, then adds pineapple juice, grapefruit juice and honey simple syrup.  The second cocktail will be a classic daiquiri featuring Dry Dock Sorghrum.  Both are cool and refreshing cocktails for summertime!  Free samples of both food and drink will be served and the complete recipes can be found at our website www.mrdistilling.com.        

This Friday night, MRDC is kicking off their new rewards program.  We invite anyone to become a part of "The Crew" and when they sign up with instantly start earning points with each purchase that can then be used for discounts on future purchases.  To celebrate this new initiative, we'll be giving away a free "Crew" pint glass that says "Inaugural Voyage June 7, 2013" during First Friday to everyone who purchases a bottle of MRDC spirits.  More detailed information on "The Crew" rewards program will be coming out soon.    

Mississippi River Distilling Company is open from 10 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday and from 12 to 5 PM Sundays.  Free tours are offered to the public daily on the hour from 12 to 4 PM or by appointment.  The tour takes visitors through the entire distilling process.  Tours end in the Grand Tasting Room with free samples of products for those patrons over 21 years of age.

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Le Claire, Iowa, October 1, 2012 - It's beginning to feel a lot like fall outside, just in time for Mississippi River Distilling Company's second release of Iowa Coffee Company Liqueur on October 5, 2012.  This seasonal is back by popular demand after flying off the shelves last fall and winter.

MRDC takes hand roasted Peruvian blend coffee beans from Iowa Coffee Company, a Des Moines area small business, and infuses it into River Pilot Vodka.  Along the process, fresh cinnamon sticks and vanilla beans are added.  This year approximately 6,000 bottles will be available for distribution starting in October.  Grab a bottle for yourself and one to give as a gift this holiday season!

October 5 also marks the next release of the highly sought after Cody Road Bourbon Whiskey.  Approximately 1,500 bottles will be distributed.  Luckily, more is quickly on the horizon ready to come out of the barrel so it won't be so hard to get your hands on a bottle.  By the beginning of November, MRDC will be releasing approximately 1,000 bottles per week, thanks to finally catching up with the aging process.  Also coming up November 2, is the release of MRDC's latest spirit, Cody Road Rye Whiskey. This spirit is handmade from 100% local rye purchased from Dave and Jim Wherry in Fulton, Illinois. Our rye is a unique spirit that showcases the wonderful spiciness of this one-of-a-kind grain along with the delicate fruitiness that is often lost in rye whiskies.

Coffee enthusiasts, bourbon lovers and everyone in between are invited to join us Friday, October 5 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. to celebrate at MRDC's First Friday Feature.  There will be specialty cocktails prepared for the evening, including cocktails featuring the coffee liqueur, as well as some light appetizers.  During the First Friday party, fans get a free Iowa Coffee Company Liqueur coffee mug with any bottle of spirits purchased.

Mississippi River Distilling Company is open from 10 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday and from 12 to 5 PM Sundays.  Free tours are offered to the public daily on the hour from 12 to 4 PM or by appointment.  The tour takes visitors through the entire distilling process.  Tours end in the Grand Tasting Room with free samples of products for those patrons over 21 years of age.