Craft Whiskey’s Four Kings Return With Rye

Four Kings Rye Whiskey
(Credit: Mississippi River Distilling)

Four of the Midwest’s top craft distilleries are releasing a second collaborative whiskey in Chicago on June 25. Corsair Distillery in Nashville, Tennessee, Few Spirits in Evanston, Illinois, Journeyman Distilling in Three Oaks, Michigan and Mississippi River Distilling Company in LeClaire, Iowa each contributed 30 gallons of rye whiskey that was blended into what is being called “Four Kings” Rye Whiskey.

This unprecedented collaboration started last year with the release of “Four Kings Bourbon” in April of 2014. The bourbon was a blend of four whiskeys, one from each distillery. The product was so well received that the distillers decided to make it an annual event. “Everything we bottled was gone in a couple days last year.” said Mississippi River Distilling Company owner and distiller Ryan Burchett. “It was so much fun for us and the consumers alike. So we wanted to try it again.”

The distillers decided this year to blend rye whiskeys from each distillery to make a one of a kind product between the four of them. “We all have distinctive ryes.” said Journeyman Distillery owner and distiller Bill Welter. “I’m really excited to see how they marry up. It was amazing last year to see how four individual whiskies made such a unique blend.”

Last year, the project was a first of its kind offering. “Craft breweries have been doing these collaborations for years. But to our knowledge, this was the first in this country from a spirits standpoint.” explained FEW Spirits owner and distiller Paul Hletko. “It’s no small feat to bring different producers with different distributors to the same table and make this work. That’s probably why we are still the only ones doing this so far.”

The project has provided typical competitors in the Chicago liquor industry a chance to work together. “This is more about the spirit of cooperation between craft producers than it is about making money.” said Brian Ciske of BC Merchants who distributes Corsair spirits in Chicago. “We’re not just trying to grow a brand. We are trying to grow the concept of craft and we’re are all enjoying this chance to break new ground together.”

The four distilleries all contributed 30 gallons of rye whiskey. Those whiskeys were blended and bottled as Four Kings Rye Whiskey in early 2015. The whiskey is being distributed to retailers around the Chicago market in June.

“The blend only made a little over 500 bottles. So it’s not going to last long.” Joe Katz from Tenzing Wine and Spirits, who distributes Journeyman Distillery products in Chicago. “But the rarity of the whiskey makes it even more interesting.”

The whiskey will be unveiled during a special tasting at Binny’s Beverage Depot in Lincoln Park. Distillers from all four distilleries will be present from 6-8 PM to discuss the whiskey, offer tastings and sign bottles. Following that event, Delilah’s whiskey bar will host a tasting party with all four distillers in attendance as well. “The release night is really what it is all about.” added Brett Pontoni, the spirits buyer at Binny’s. “You’re going to see the four guys who made it gather around the table with their distributors, retailers, bartenders and their fans to truly celebrate the vibrant craft market we have here in Chicago.”

The arrival of the whiskey is the first chance for even some of the distillers to try it for the first time. “We know what our stuff tastes like and I’ve tried the whiskey from the other guys at different times.” said Andrew Webber, president and distiller at Corsair. “But none of us knows exactly what it’s going to be like blended together until we crack that first bottle.”

Jason Griffin is the business manager for craft spirits at Wirtz Beverage who represents Mississippi River Distilling Company and FEW Spirits in Chicago. He said plans are already in the works for 2016. “Logistically, this is no small feat. But now that the hoops have been navigated once, each time it gets easier. I can’t wait to see what they come up with for next year.”