My favorite Minnesota story was my best friend's wedding in northern Minnesota. This bride-to-be was from Colorado and people were flying from Hong Kong and New Zealand amongst other places. As the plane was landing at Bemidji Airport there was a big bump. When the plane came to a stop the pilot announced, "sorry about the rough landing, but we hit a deer on the runway." (Video on RU-vid somewhere)
I have lived in MN my whole life. Winter IS -25 or more often but its also 95+ with insane humidity in the summer. We have many distilleries popping all over the state in the last 4 or 5 years. Cheers!
Daniel, you pretty pretty much nailed Minnesota. Where the mosquito swatters are made by Yonex. There are four seasons - fall, winter, spring and road repair. Where, if you don't freeze to death in the winter, the tornadoes will get you. And, up until 1980, the most exotic form of cooking was a toss-up between Italian spaghetti and Chinese take-out. Remember, Austin, Minnesota, is where Hormel Spam came from.
Minnesota weather in a nutshell, over a typical 4 years: Upwards of a 140-degree shift throughout the course of the year, sometimes as much as 50-70 degrees in a single day (and don't get me started on wind chill). Minnesota barrels are expanding and contracting pretty much constantly. Any water in the wood during winter is likely to freeze there, then get returned to the cycle in the spring. Whereas Texas can rapid-age whiskey, Minnesota is more of a slow roll. Sadly, craft distilleries haven't been around in MN long enough to have something in a barrel a number of years that would really bring out anything beyond that "new" note. Panther is the first MN craft distillery. Others around the state are doing amazing things, but flat out none of them have the time in yet. I expect 10+ year offerings to be amazing in the future. Douglas & Todd is produced by Panther, Osakis, MN (O-say-kiss), bottled by Phillips, which also does schnapps and Karkov Vodka, among other things. Botted at US Distilled Products, Princeton, MN.
The Spirit Monk[e]y is reminded of this dad joke at the mention of Panther Distillery : Knock knock. Who's there? Panther. Panther who? Panth er no panth, I'm going thwimming. The Spirit Monk[e]y finds this humorous.
You can always tell which of us MBs are Minnesotan because we are the ones laughing at you in the comments whenever you Texas boys wear a jackets in a video lol.
As was pointed out down below, temperature swings in Minnesota are insane. Panther distilling is in Douglas county, and Todd county is the next county over, so the climate is going to be the same.
I work in liquor distributing I'm MN, and can confirm there are some really dumb/weird liquor laws in MN. I would also love to see some more MN/WI/Midwest whiskey/bourbon on the channel!!
1. Sure is nice to hear the toast again ... 2. I almost bought that whiskey last time I was in Minnesota ... it was between that and Crooked Waters initially ... and then I turned around and bought a bottle of a Scotch/Bourbon/Rye blend from Vikre distilling and it is EFFING amazing.
I love how you guys describe the taste experience. You think about it exactly how I do, in shapes and sounds. So interesting. I totally get what you're saying.
Ah, good Old Crow. This one will always have a special place in my heart as the "Old Crows" association is an organization related to my specialty back in my military days. Totally not whiskey related, but both relevant to me.
I'm from Chicago but have been to Minnesota a couple of times. Minneapolis is a hell of a city and Duluth is tremendous for couples. But yes, its cold as hell there in the winter!
Sad story gents. I have a bookcase where i keep my more special whiskeys. Black Art 4, Glendro Cask Strength, Longmorn 16, Caol Ila 18, etc. I also happened to have had an opened bottle of Talisker 18 on the shelf in front of my Ardbeg Dark Cove. I went to grab the Ardbeg to look to see if I had anything behind it and accidentally knocked over the Talisker 18. It fell about 4 feet to the floor and shattered into a thousand pieces of glass, spilling what whiskey was left. My house smelled wonderfully for a few hours but my mood has been crap for the past 4 days since this happened. Fortunately, your episodes help me get by Rex and Daniel. Courage, Carlos
I used to work with a guy from Alabama and he said Michigan mosquitoes are twice the size and could actually feel them landing for dinner. Probably similar to MN mosquitoes.
TLDR spilled my whiskey story- At the after wake gathering for my nephew. Poured my Bruichladdie Black Art 5.1 for me, some friends and family. Proceed to cheers him, sip, then walk into the kitchen to get something. Someone exits kitchen, I move to the side and bump door frame dropping glass and whiskey down my leg.... Caught the glass though. Considered it my nephew's share and poured another. Cheers Christian.
MY BEAUTIFUL MOOCHIE BOY! He's Back! About damn time. Also, there is a chance I might be flying down to Austin for my 23 (golden birthday) this Friday. Suppose I'll have to swing by and see you guys!
Wynonna Earp had gentleman jack throughout although they blurred the label. But that's such an iconic bottle and label combo it's not hard to determine lol
Yep Daniel joined us right after we had the polar vortex bringing it down to -55 up here in Minnesota. Panther distilling is not a good representation of what Minnesota has to offer so hopefully you don’t treat us too harshly LOL
Just got myself some dirt cheap whiskey on Amazon. Around 8 bottles. Can't wait to have my buddies over to compare. (code for mooching the heck outta my collection)
Was so excited that Minnesota had a go at a bourbon after buying a bottle and having about half of it I am unhappy to say that it’s not even close to a good bourbon it finishes like a scotch it’s possible I just need some more aging still happy that we made an attempt but we’re far from a great bourbon
I'll agree with you. I detest the taste of pine sap and grapefruit peels prevalent in IPA's which seem to dominate craft beer. I prefer malty stouts, porters, Imperial Stouts and bourbon and whiskey barrel aged Stouts. I also have a taste for Belgian doubles, tripels and quads and Scottish Wee Heavy. Enough about beer. 😁
Douglas and Todd is aged in a non-climate controlled warehause by a lake. I wasn't a fan of the green, sappy note when I tried it (reminded me a bit of Garrison Brothers). Was also disappointed with their website when I looked them up. The Panther Distillery website was actually fantastic, and told a really good story that made me want to like the Bourbon. Unfortunately, you have to like that green wood note, and I just don't.
Worst whiskey knock over : dumped a half pour of Dark Cove CR while trying to take the "new ceremony" Pic for doing a review... Rex and his "brilliant" ideas
So Daniel is mostly correct. Minnesotans are of a hardier stock that can deal with the cold that you texans complain about but there is also the humid months when the mosquitoes are a better airline than most.
Have you had any whiskies from Seven Stills Distillery in San Francisco? They make their whiskies from craft beers and some can be quite hoppy. I really like them, especially ones made from a stout.
Boston Legal... track Denny (William Shatner) and Alan (James Spader) and their Scotch journey through the end of each episode during their balcony chats
would plastic bottles effect taste of the whiskey? They always hem and haw about plastic water bottles leaching chemicals into the water. With the high alcohol content I can only imagine that whiskey would have an effect on the plastic. Have you guys ever compared the same whiskey that comes in both plastic and glass, to see if they have any difference in taste? Could be a Tribe video.
2 questions about Smokey whiskeys? Has anyone ever gotten so drunk on Smokey whiskey, that they were throwing it up? Because it's hard enough going down, wondering how torturous it would be coming back up? Also, anyone know if drinking Smokey whiskeys could lead to cancer, like inhaling smoke?
MN weather can be 22 degrees one day, and 85 the next. It’s the most chaotic climate I’ve heard of🤣 as for the climate between both counties? That can change within 10 miles🤣🤣 Remember, the Dallas Stars were the Minnesota North Stars first!
so. I live in MN, Been here half my life. Thankfully, I'm not as far north as Douglas and Todd.....but far enough north. (I'm closer to Harmony Spirits and Rockfilter Distillery) It gets cold here, as you know, but it also gets hot here, one memorable day a few years ago, it was the same temperature here as in Dallas and Phoenix (100.)
