Drink the Bottles

Located in the heart of DeKalb, Illinois is a farm and distillery that promotes their "Seed to Spirit" way of life, growing their own grains and completely overseeing the complete process to creat a selection of fine spirits.  As midwesterners ourselves, we have an affinity for this team that grows everything that goes into their bottles.  They are use John Deere equipment, so there is that admiration as well as our family has been in the John Deere business since 1955. The  Whiskey Acres Bottled-In-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey  was tasted neat from a 100mL sample bottle.  Golden sunset in color, this bourbon has an impressive basket of several aromas after some swirling - cinnamon stick, fresh earth, sweet corn and toasted nuts.  It's mouth-coating flavors of vanilla, coconut cream pie, cinnamon, mixed nuts and orchard fruits blend effortless and provide an exceptionally  smooth finish - we mean REALLY smooth!  The mash bill on this is 75% corn,...

Typically we save Sangria, both white and red, for summer months.  Nothing beats a hot July day with some white Sangria and some fresh fruits thrown in to enhance the wine.  Cooper's Hawk is based out of Illinois and I typically tell people their wines, for the most part, have a strong Midwest appeal.  What I mean is that they are full of flavor.  If you're more into flavor instead of depth, tannin, lingering mouth feel blah, blah, blah then check out some of their popular wines.  The NV (non-vintage) Sangria White is a bright and fruity wine that bounces some nectarine, peach and apricot around in your nose.  This medium-yellow wine drinks very smoothly as a good Sangria should and tastes like the previously mentioned fruits.  Take a bottle of this, put it in a pitcher with ice and throw in some strawberries for a good time.  Pairs very well with light cheeses and meats.  You'll like this! ABV:  12.5% Suggested retail price:...