The Very First Batch Of Ryan and Wood’s Rye Whiskey Gets Their Labels Today and I Got Bottle #2

Three part video series coming this week with Bob Hastings, Bobby Ryan, Jay Albert whose photo of the Man at The Wheel was used for the label and Kate Glass, Gloucester Times photographer who for the record did not take a sip while on assignment.

There is only 4 barrels of this batch of whiskey so it is very special.  Only 1200 bottles will be produced from this first run and they are the only ones that will come from the larger 50 gallon barrels as opposed to the others that have been put away for a future date in 35 gallon barrels.  So go get yourself three bottles- one to drink now, one to put away for a special occasion like when a child turns 21 and the third for Fiesta (Bob’s idea).

                                                  PROFILE SHEET            April, 19, 2000
Ryan & Wood Straight Rye Whiskey

Barrel # 11

43% ABV (86 proof) , packed 6 x 750 ml  / case
Federal Standard of Identity:  Straight Rye Whiskey

Whisky produced at not exceeding 80% alcohol by volume (160 proof), from a fermented mash of not less than 51 percent rye and stored at not more than
62.5% alcohol by volume (125 proof) in charred new oak containers, for not less than 2
years in new barrels

Rye Whiskey was what we first distilled knowing that it would years before we would learn what the aging process here in Gloucester would deliver. We processed only 4 barrels at that time, last July, 2008. Barrel # 11 exemplifies what we want to be for our Rye whiskey. We will follow with #’s 1, 2 & 10 as they are ready. We have since barreled, on average, one smaller 30 gallon barrel a month.
Rye Whiskey: Whiskey of Colonial America.
Barrels: Purchased from Bluegrass Cooperage, Kentucky, 53 gallon Whiskey Barrels, Medium toast, #3 Char
Grains:             Rye, Wheat, Malted Barley
Barrel date:      Barrel # 11  , July 12, 2008
Bottle date:      April 19, 2011 ,  true “Patriots Day”
Bottles:            336 bottles  or  56 x 6 bottle cases
Label credit :    MGT design, Maureen Terrill.
Labe Image:     courtesy of Jay Albert
Label thought:  Gloucester’s Fisherman’s Memorial Cenotaph, aka “The Man at the Wheel” statue, is the icon of Gloucester.  While stopped in traffic waiting for the “cut” bridge to be lowered, we all have studied the statue from this view. Our thoughts will drift out towards the Breakwater and beyond to the horizon. The romance of chasing dreams and what could be takes shape. We honor that vista with our label.

Ryan & Wood Distillery, “The Spirit of Cape Ann” is a family run craft distillery located in Gloucester, Mass.  Other Spirits produced include “Beauport Vodka”, “Knockabout Gin” and “Folly Cove Rum”.
Visit  www.ryanandwood.com for more info.