Whiskey
Still & Oak Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Great Lakes Distillery's Flagship Bourbon
Still & Oak Straight Bourbon has been the flagship bourbon for Great Lakes Distillery since its launch in 2018. It is a rich, robust, malt heavy bourbon that drinks well neat, on the rocks, with a splash of water, or in any classic bourbon based cocktail such as an Old Fashioned or Mint Julep. The unique malt percentage places Still & Oak in it's own class in the world of bourbon.
- 100% fermented, distilled, and matured by Great Lakes Distillery in new charred 53 gallon barrels.
- Mash bill of 67% Corn, 22% Malt and 11% Rye.
- Distilled with Wisconsin grown grain
- Starting with aromas of roasted grain and seasoned wood, Still & Oak Straight Bourbon develops further with corn, vanilla, and honey on the palate. The bourbon finishes medium to long with lingering caramel and raw peanuts.
- Still & Oak Bourbon is non-chill filtered which may lead to cloudiness in the bottle, a light shake will disperse.
Gold - 2021 Denver International Spirits Competition
Liquor.com's "Best Whiskey Made in Wisconsin"
43% ABV | 86 Proof
Still & Oak Straight Rye Whiskey
Great Lakes Distillery's Flagship Rye
Still & Oak Straight Rye has been the flagship rye whiskey for Great Lakes Distillery since its launch in 2018. The unique 100% rye mash bill creates a robust, but well rounded rye whiskey suitable for enjoying neat, on the rocks, with a splash of water, or any classic whiskey cocktail such as a Sazerac or Gold Rush.
- 100% fermented, distilled, and matured by Great Lakes Distillery in new charred 53 gallon barrels.
- 100% rye mash bill: 80% malted & 20% non-malted
- Distilled with Wisconsin grown grain
- Aromas and flavors of rye toast, candied yams, gingerbread, caraway, and tarragon with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium body and a peppery, complex, long finish with notes of caramel, dark chocolate, rosemary, and peanut butter finish. An herbaceous, rye-lover's rye that boldly expresses the grain.
- Still & Oak Rye is non-chill filtered which may lead to cloudiness in the bottle, a light shake will disperse.
2020 Gold - Whiskey & Barrel Consumer Choice Awards
2019 Gold - Beverage Testing Institute
2019 Gold - International Review of Spirits
45% ABV | 90 Proof
Still & Oak Touch of Honey Whiskey
Whiskey with Full Wisconsin Flavor and a Touch of Honey
Enjoy this special release of our Still & Oak Whiskey in celebration of the 10th anniversary of Milwaukee's WhiskeyBelles' first album, "Whiskey Woman". Milwaukee's favorite distillery teamed up with Milwaukee's favorite band to create a honey-flavored whiskey with a touch of orange and ginger.
A little sweet and a little spicy, just like the WhiskeyBelles themselves! Still & Oak Touch of Honey is hand crafted whiskey from Wisconsin's Original Award-Winning Craft Distillery. A blend of Still & Oak Whiskey with pure Wisconsin honey, Still & Oak Touch of Honey is not cloyingly sweet like other brands of honey whiskey. It has rich aromas of honey, caramel, vanilla, and chocolate. Mouth feel is a warm lighter body. Initial flavors taste of a hint of sweet honey, oak, vanilla, caramel, orange and spice that ends with a smooth lingering taste of honey.
A great sipper straight-up, Still & Oak Touch of Honey also works great as a hot toddy and makes a delicious and refreshing John Daly.
- Made with pure Wisconsin honey and a touch of orange and ginger.
- Made in small batches with Wisconsin-grown grains.
- Still & Oak Touch of Honey Whiskey is non-chill filtered. It will retain maximum flavor, but might leave a little sediment in the bottle.
43% ABV | 86 Proof
Still & Oak Bottled-In-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Whiskey with Full Wisconsin Flavor and Aged 4 Years
Still & Oak Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Whiskey is made from the same gold medal winning recipe as our standard Still & Oak Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This unique whiskey is produced in small batches with Wisconsin-grown grain and adheres to the federal government requirements to qualify as "Bottled-In-Bond."
Qualifications to be called "Bottled-In-Bond" include that the spirit is distilled in one season at the same distillery that will bottle the product, it is then aged a minimum of 4 years and bottled at 100 proof.
Still & Oak Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon is aged in 53-gallon new charred American oak barrels. It has rich aromas of corn and pecan pie, leather, caramel, and chocolate. Initial flavors are a warm, malty, medium-full body taste with notes of clove, oak spices, vanilla, caramel, and dried fruit that ends with a smooth and delightful long lasting finish.
Non-chill filtered, Still & Oak Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon will retain maximum flavor, but might leave a little sediment in the bottle.
2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition DOUBLE GOLD recipient!
50% ABV | 100 Proof
Still & Oak Bottled-In-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey
100% Rye. 100% Delicious. 100 Proof.
Great Lakes Distillery's Still & Oak Bottled-In-Bond Rye Whiskey is made from the same gold medal award winning recipe as our standard Still & Oak Straight Rye Whiskey. This unique spirit is produced in small batches with Wisconsin-grown rye and adheres to the federal government requirements to qualify as "Bottled-In-Bond."
Qualifications to be called “Bottled-In-Bond” include that the spirit is distilled in one season at the same distillery that will bottle the product, it is then aged a minimum of 4 years and bottled at 100 proof.
Aged in 53-gallon new charred American oak barrels, with a deep brown color, the aroma of Still & Oak Bottled-In-Bond Rye Whiskey starts with vanilla and honey, intermingling with floral notes. The first taste brings flavors of spice and honey that give way to a delicious oak, cinnamon and spice body. Silky, medium-long honeyed rye toast and spiced nut finish.
A rarity in Wisconsin-made whiskey, Still & Oak Bottled-In-Bond Rye Whiskey is one of the oldest locally made spirits available. A smooth and flavorful rye, with 100% rye mash bill, this rarity will be a great addition to the rye whiskey category.
Non-chill filtered, Still & Oak Bottled-In-Bond Rye Whiskey will retain maximum flavor, but might leave a little sediment in the bottle.
2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition DOUBLE GOLD recipient!
50% ABV | 100 Proof
Still & Oak Black Friday Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Imperial Stout Beer Barrels
Still & Oak Black Friday™ is our flagship straight rye whiskey finished in Lakefront Brewery’s Black Friday™ Imperial Stout beer barrels for an additional two years.
Starting with aromas of roasted grain and seasoned wood, Still & Oak Black Friday™ develops further with chocolate and caramel on the palate. It drinks well neat, on the rocks, or with a splash of water.
Note: Not chill filtered. Some cloudiness or sedimentation may occur. Simply shake the bottle to disperse. Black Friday™ is used under license from Lakefront Brewery, Inc.
45% ABV | 90 Proof
Kinnickinnic Whiskey
Kinnickinnic: [KIN-I-KUH-NIK] An Ojibwe word meaning "what is mixed".
Our Kinnickinnic Whiskey is a blend of straight bourbon and malt and rye whiskeys we produce here at Great Lakes Distillery. We bottle it at 86 proof and we don't filter it so we can ensure ALL the very best flavor is making it into the bottle.
American blended whiskeys are typically a mixture of a little whiskey and neutral grain spirit (essentially vodka!). Rest assured, there is no Neutral Grain Spirit in Kinnickinnic. It's 100% whiskey, and possibly the only American blended whiskey made this way on the market.
About the name- On the south side of Milwaukee we see Kinnickinnic everywhere- there is a main street through the Bay View neighborhood and a river named for it and several businesses include it in their name. To keep it quick and simple for locals and outsiders alike, many abbreviate it "KK" in writing and conversation. Kinnickinnic is an Ojibwe word meaning "a blend or mix of tobacco and other plants".
What does this have to do with whiskey? Well, we think there are some pretty good analogies- bourbon is often described as having a fresh tobacco like flavor, and like those Native Americans we found blending our “tobacco” with another plant (in our case malted barley and rye) produced a truly unique and delicious spirit. In our own experiments we have also determined this whiskey which is spectacular neat or with a few ice cubes is great mixed too!
Gold- 2020 Whiskey & Barrel Consumer Choice Awards
Gold- 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Gold- 2012 Denver International Spirits Competition
"Best American Blended Whisky"- 2013 World Whisky Awards
Tasting Note from the Beverage Testing Institute where Kinnickinnic Whiskey was awarded the Silver Medal: "Minutely hazy light amber color. Light grainy, husky aromas are suggestive of buttery nut brittle, brown spices and chocolate oatmeal cereal with a silky, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a hint of mocha, mossy stone and pink pepper on the zesty finish. A nice choice for craft cocktails".
"The whole is greater than the sum of it's parts" -Aristotle
43% ABV | 86 Proof
Dirty Helen Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon
"Dirty Helen" Cromwell was a Milwaukee legend who according to Milwaukee writer Bobby Tanzilo "was both beloved and reviled, celebrated and derided, an entrepreneur and bon vivant, who lived hard and played hard." Nothing less than this barrel strength whiskey distilled, aged, and bottled in the town Helen called home can honor her lasting memory. Using the same mash bill and Wisconsin-grown grain as our Still & Oak Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Dirty Helen Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey features vanilla and corn notes on the nose with a robust palate of charred oak, roasted malt, and sweet corn.
- Limited release schedule.
- Adds complexity and robustness to any classic bourbon-based cocktail.
- Every barrel strength release retains a unique ABV*.
- Learn more about Dirty Helen.
Gold- 2020 Whiskey and Barrel Consumer Choice Awards
*ABV Varies: 56.5% ABV - 64.1% ABV | 113 - 128.2 Proof
Dirty Helen Barrel Strength Straight Rye Whiskey
Just Like Helen Would Have F***ing Liked It
Great Lakes Distillery is proud to offer Dirty Helen Barrel Strength Straight Rye Whiskey. Like our previous Dirty Helen Bourbon release, we commemorate "Dirty Helen" Cromwell.
Helen was a Milwaukee legend who, according to Milwaukee writer Bobby Tanzilo, "was both beloved and reviled, celebrated and derided, an entrepreneur and bon viant, who lived hard and played hard."
Nothing less than barrel strength whiskey distilled, aged, and bottled in the town Helen called home would honor her lasting memory.
- The same 100% Rye mash bill as Great Lakes Distillery's Still & Oak Straight Rye Whiskey.
- Distilled with Wisconsin-grown grain.
- Limited release schedule.
- Dirty Helen Barrel Strength Straight Rye Whiskey features dark cherry, toasted pecan and leather on the nose with a robust palate of spice, cinnamon, dark chocolate and oak.
- Adds complexity and robustness in any classic rye-based cocktail.
- Every barrel strength release retains a unique ABV*.
*ABV Varies: 56.5% ABV - 64.1% ABV | 113 – 128.2 Proof
Repeal Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey
Now in 750ml Bottles!
Celebrate the end of Prohibition with this rye whiskey aged 5 years!
**2024 batch to be released December 5th 2024!**
After being under lock, key, and bond for 5 years, we are pleased to introduce our Repeal Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey.
This bottle of special straight rye whiskey was produced on December 5th, 2019, and bottled exactly 5 years later on December 5th, 2024 - the day we celebrate the repeal of Prohibition.
Each year we produce a single barrel of this commemorative whiskey - a mash of 92% rye and 8% malted barley aged in a single new charred oak barrel.
Enjoy this one-of-a kind whiskey in any classic rye cocktail, or with just a few cubes of ice.
- Aged 5 years
- Bottled each year on December 5th
- An old style rye recipe made from a mash of 92% rye and 8% malted barley
- Limited availability
45% ABV | 90 Proof
Hibernation Series Batch 4
Kinnickinnic Whiskey Finished in Milk Stout Beer Barrels Since the humble beginnings of Great Lakes Distillery’s whiskey production, we have been laying select batches aside for an extended “hibernation.” Each batch features a unique cask finish and an extended aging period. We release batches every year as winter comes to an end and we look forward to the coming spring.
Batch 4 of this year’s exclusive, one-of-a-kind spirit is our Kinnickinnic Whiskey - a blend of straight bourbon and malt and rye whiskeys we produce at Great Lakes Distillery - rested in milk stout beer barrels.
Enjoy this fine, smooth crafted whiskey neat, on the rocks, or in your favorite cocktail.
- 100 proof | 50% ABV
- Limited to ~250 750ml bottles
Hibernation Series Batch 5
Still & Oak Bourbon Finished in Zinfandel Wine Barrels Since the humble beginnings of Great Lakes Distillery’s whiskey production, we have been laying select batches aside for an extended “hibernation.” Each batch features a unique cask finish and an extended aging period. We release batches every year as winter comes to an end and we look forward to the coming spring.
Batch 5 of this year’s exclusive, one-of-a-kind spirit is our flagship Still & Oak Straight Rye Whiskey rested in Zinfandel wine barrels.
Enjoy this fine, smooth crafted whiskey neat, on the rocks, or in yourfavorite cocktail.
- 100 proof | 50% ABV
- Limited to ~250 750ml bottles
Chicken Shack Straight Rye Whiskey
In conjunction with WMSE's Chicken Shack Radio Show, Great Lakes Distillery will be releasing our 3rd batch of Chicken Shack Straight Rye Whiskey, a single barrel of our flagship straight rye whiskey, bottled at 91.7 proof, giving a polite nod to collaborator WMSE 91.7FM. A portion of each bottle sold benefits the anti-established radio station, WMSE 91.7FM.
100% fermented, distilled, and matured by Great Lakes Distillery in new charred 53 gallon barrels.
100% rye mash bill: 80% malted & 20% non-malted.
Distilled with Wisconsin-grown grain.
Aromas and flavors of rye toast, candied yams, gingerbread, caraway, and tarragon with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium body and a peppery, complex, long finish with notes of caramel, dark chocolate, rosemary, and peanut butter finish. An herbaceous, rye-lover's rye that boldly expresses the grain.
Non-chill filtered which may lead to cloudiness in the bottle, a light shake will disperse.
45.85% ABV | 91.7 Proof
Available beginning 6/1/2024Still & Oak Amburana
Still & Oak Amburana is made from the same gold-medal-winning recipe as our flagship Still & Oak Straight Rye Whiskey. This unique spirit is produced in small batches with 100% Wisconsin-grown rye, aged four years, and then finished with Amburana wood chips and Wisconsin cranberry blossom honey.
Still & Oak Amburana is 100% fermented, distilled, and aged by Great Lakes Distillery in 53-gallon new charred American oak barrels. It uses our straight rye mash bill of 80% malted rye and 20% non-malted rye.
Still & Oak Amburana has hints of gingerbread and cinnamon that meld together with other savory, herbal notes like clove and thyme to create a spirit like no other. Still & Oak Amburana makes a unique Manhattan, and is also excellent on the rocks or with a splash of water.
Non-chill filtered, Still & Oak Amburana will retain maximum flavor, but might leave a little sediment in the bottle. Simply shake lightly to disperse.
50% ABV | 100 Proof
Still & Oak 6yr. Bourbon
We take great pride in fully fermenting, distilling, and maturing our straight bourbon whiskey at our distillery in Milwaukee, WI. Embracing our home state’s rich agricultural heritage, we start each batch by fermenting Wisconsin-grown and -milled grain. We follow fermentation with copper pot distillation and maturation in 53 gallon charred oak casks. Our unique 67% corn, 22% barley, and 11% rye mashbill produces a rich malt character not often found in the world of bourbon. Enjoy this fine, handcrafted bourbon neat, on the rocks, or in your favorite cocktail.
- 67% corn, 22% barley, and 11% rye mashbill
- Features Wisconsin-grown grain and is made in small batches
- Aged for 6 years in 53 gallon new charred American oak barrels
- Non-chill filtered
45% ABV - 90 Proof
Still & Oak 6yr. Rye
Straight rye whiskey is prized for its big, bold and spirited flavors. Our unique straight rye whiskey recipe uses 100% rye grain from local Wisconsin farmers and is milled at a local artisan grain mill. Our quality and commitment to Wisconsin runs even deeper than this though. Never cutting corners, we use copper pot stills to distill our straight rye whiskey in small batches and only use 53 gallon new charred white oak barrels to age our whiskey. These Old World techniques are what impart a rare and special character to the bottle that you hold in your hand.
- 100% rye mash bill - 78% Rye and 22% Malted Rye
- Features Wisconsin-grown rye and is made in small batches
- Aged for 6 years in 53 gallon new charred American oak barrels
- Non-chill filtered
45% ABV - 90 Proof