A Guide to our Label

A guide to the back label of RoughStock Montana Whiskey:

Each bottle of RoughStock is hand numbered with the batch number, bottle number, bottling date, and the individual who took the time and care to put the whiskey in that bottle. We are a small batch distillery, therefore each batch is written on the label for traceability and a reference for the unique flavor of that particular batch. Does that mean every batch tastes different? The short answer is no, but the reality is that there will always be some minute variability. Many distilleries blend their whiskey to maintain some level of continuity; we embrace the individualism of each batch.

There are several factors that effect the taste of the whiskey: grain variety and growing season; barrel selection and the natural elements of the particular oak trees that made that barrel; size, toast, and char levels of the barrels; seasonal water table fluctuations; temperature of the stored barrels; evaporation or the “angel’s share” as it is called; and the high pressure/low pressure systems that frequent our mountain region pushing the whiskey in and out of the barrel staves. Each one of those factors, among others, will impart their own elements on the final product. We take pride in the fact that even though our process is the same week in and week out, mother nature has her own plans for the taste on the final product that we cannot fully control. That’s why the batch number is written on the label.

The second most asked question we get is the aging time. The whiskey age should be seen as a number and nothing more. When a whiskey is fully matured and the distiller/blender/staff make that determination based on what flavor profile they are after it is ready no matter if it is 30 days old or 30 years old. The largest contributor to aging whiskey is the contact with the wood followed by the environmental factors discussed earlier. With our carefully selected and handcrafted barrels coupled with the erratic local weather patterns, we can fully mature a whiskey in a very short time. This is in no way a shortcut on quality or maturity, simply the way in which our whiskey matures in our unique mountain environment. Rest assured that our whiskey stays in those barrels until our staff determines it has reached the level of perfection needed for RoughStock Montana Whiskey.