Micro-distillery explores effects of rye on spirits

A single estate micro-distillery owner claims “Minnesota will own rye” having been awarded a US$188,495 grant to study varieties of winter rye and the effects they have on spirits.

A micro-distillery has been given a grant to study the effects of different rye varieties on spirits

Far North Spirits received the funding from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and will work with several state farmers, distillers, the University of Minnesota-Crookston and the barley and malt lab in the Department of Plant Sciences at North Dakota State University in Fargo.

Michael Swanson, owner, distiller and farmer at Far North Spirits, hopes to make Minnesota “a leader in production of world-class rye spirits” through the experiment.

“Kentucky owns Bourbon. Scotland, Scotch. Minnesota will own rye,” said Swanson.

“Our rich soil and extreme climate are perfect for growing this grain. AC Hazlet Rye, our favoured variety, is already recognised as our signature.”

A total of 17 varieties of rye will be planted over three different locations, one of which will be Far North’s 1,500-acre farm in Hallock, Minnesota.

The first plots of rye are scheduled to be planted this autumn.

Far North will analyse the crops on their hardiness, spring vigour and yield, a well as how suitable they are to create different spirits.

Each variety will also be studied to determine the distillate yield, initial viscosity, flavour and aroma.

Once completed, it is hoped the distillery and its partners will be able to provide an “unbiased, reliable source of data”, along with flavour and sensory analysis.

The report will be publicly available to all farmers in Minnesota from the University of Minnesota-Crookston, and shared throughout the US through the American Distilling Institute.

Far North Spirits has been growing rye since 2012 and currently distils two gins, a vodka and rye whiskey from the crop.

Earlier this year, Bruichladdich embarked on a Scotland-wide experiment to determine the effect terroir has on the flavour of whisky.