Last Week's Tasting Notes

Our super local friends from High Rock Distillery poured some of their delicious products!

"Small Batch, Farm to Glass
Our beginning was a homemade still for our personal enjoyment. The response was overwhelming for our batches, so we decided to become 'legit.'

We craft our spirits by hand to ensure the best quality product. Using local grains we hope to aid in supporting local farms and give our product a unique flavor.

We pride ourselves on using local ingredients to create a truly local spirit. Our process comes full circle when we give the spent grains back to the farms for livestock feed."


Saratoga Shine ($33.99)
From the producer:
"Our moonshine isn't made in the back woods, but is made with the same rebel spirit as two farm raised boys. This moonshine has been distilled using 100% locally grown grains and pure spring water. Drink straight or check out our 'tested' ways to mix."

From me:
When people see "moonshine," they often make the assumption that should they open the bottle, what's inside might just burn off their eyebrows. Not the case here! This shine is incredibly smooth, and despite its higher alcohol content, it blends easily into mixed drinks. Grab a bottle and try out some of HRD's recipes or make up your own!

Saratoga Pepper Shine ($33.99)
From the producer:
"We wanted a spicier Bloody Mary, period. So we infused our Saratoga Shine with every hot pepper we could grow ourselves (Serano, Pablano, Jalapeno, Chipotle and Habanero). Experiment with this fresh tasting spirit and bring out the spirited creativity in yourself. Research is arduous sometimes."

From me:
This makes the best Bloody Mary I've ever had, period. I love this stuff. spicy, but not as hot as you'd imagine, it has a delicious fresh, vegetal flavor that really adds character and complexity to a cocktail. Try a margarita with it, too!

Saratoga Strawberry Shine ($33.99)
From me:
This naturally flavored shine is a delicious ingredient for cocktails, or it can be enjoyed neat or iced. It's 40 proof, so a little less potent, but the fresh strawberry really comes through in the flavor. This has summer written all over it!