Le Claire, Iowa, April 2, 2014 - A small distillery in Eastern Iowa is turning heads all over the country with their award winning handmade spirits. Mississippi River Distilling Company in LeClaire, Iowa has recently been recognized with 8 different awards at international tasting competitions.
Most significantly, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition has awarded MRDC's River Rose Gin with a gold medal. This competition is widely regarded as one of the top competitions in the US and features brands from all around the world. Distillers and importers submitted 1,474 spirits from 63 countries into the competition.
"We are obviously big fans of our gin, but we are blown away by this recognition." Said owner and distiller Ryan Burchett. "It is such a distinctive spirit that we were afraid it might be too unique to do well in a broad tasting like this. We were thrilled to hear the judges liked it as much as we do."
River Rose Gin wasn't the only spirit from Mississippi River Distilling Company recognized in the competition. Cody Road Bourbonreceived a silver medal while Cody Road Rye Whiskey and River Pilot Vodka also received bronze medals.
The Beverage Tasting Institute in Chicago sent more accolades for MRDC spirits as well. The annual tasting event there honored Cody Road Bourbon and Cody Road Rye with silver medals with River Rose Gin grabbing a bronze medal. BTI relies heavily on highly experienced, professional guest tasters who are either retailers, restaurateurs, or prominent writers that are especially knowledgeable about the beverage category being reviewed. All panelists are rigorously screened and audited and then trained in BTI's proprietary blind tasting methodology.
Tasting notes for Cody Road Bourbon included, "Bright amber color. Interesting aromas of singed praline, waxed wood, fruitcake and faint pepper smoked jerky with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a racy, candied citrus and nuts, baking spices, cocoa, salted caramel, white pepper, and cedar finish. Good depth and intensity for cocktails."
The BTI team "highly recommended" the Cody Road Rye Whiskey by noting, "Golden amber color. Aromas of oily roasted nuts, suede, dried fruits, and toasted meringue with a silky, dryish medium body and a smooth and even, rye dough, honeyed raisin toast, cedar, and mineral finish. Refreshing restraint, refinement and subtlety that grows on you when sipping."
BTI described River Rose Gin as, "Clear. Aromas of licorice gum, white balsamic marinated pears, pepper muffin and a whiff of latex with a satiny, dryish medium body and a mint-herb lozenge, grass, and white pepper accented finish."
The final award came from the American Craft Distillers Association where a group of MRDC's peers selected River Rose Ginas a bronze medal winner at their annual conference in February. The event in Denver brought together craft distillers and professionals from all around the country. The tasting allowed distillers to get feedback from others in the craft business.
"This award might mean as much as any of them." Said owner and distiller Garrett Burchett. "When the people who are out trying to make a living out of this stuff every day tell you you're doing a good job, it is exciting and truly humbling."
These awards are on the heels of additional national recognition in Country Living Magazine where their Cody Road Bourbon was selected as one of the magazine's favorite bourbons made outside of Kentucky. Whisky Advocate Magazine also recently featured the Cody Road Whiskies in their tasting notes and buying guide along with a feature on the distillery on the magazine's blog.
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.
