Root Shoot Spirits has introduced what it calls its boldest expression yet: High Rye Straight Malt Whiskey, a small-batch release distilled entirely from Colorado-grown ingredients. Crafted from award-winning Genie malted barley and distinctive Bono malted rye—both sown, grown, and malted on Olander Farms, Root Shoot Malting’s fifth-generation family farm in Loveland—this whiskey captures the spirit of Colorado agriculture in every sip. Crafted in collaboration with Boulder Spirits, only 900 bottles have been produced, available exclusively throughout Colorado.
Aged for three years in first-use medium char American White Oak barrels, High Rye Straight Malt Whiskey (92 proof) unfolds with inviting aromas of baked rye bread, layered with caramelized vanilla and clove spice. On the palate, it starts with a classic bold rye profile balanced by the sweetness of ginger snap and dried apricot, and finishes with a citrus zest of orange peel and herbal tea. Every sip expresses the craft, workmanship and spirit of Colorado agriculture.
“This is one of the finest-tasting spirits we’ve made yet,” says Root Shoot Farmer and Founder Todd Olander. “We grow and malt Bono rye for its structure and spice and this whiskey brings that grain to life. Bold and earthy, balanced, and a true expression of what we farm.”
That’s high praise, especially considering Root Shoot Spirits’ debut release was just named American Single Malt Whiskey of the Year at the London Spirits Competition.
Root Shoot Malting’s Malted Rye is malted from Bono winter rye, an earth-friendly crop that improves the topsoil and holds soil in place to prevent erosion—just one example of Root Shoot Malting’s sustainable agricultural practices. The raw material for High Rye Straight Malt Whiskey, including handcrafted Genie Pale Malt and Malted Rye (among other malt varietals), are available to brewers and distillers nationwide.
As part of Root Shoot’s Single Barrel Program, a limited run of High Rye Straight Malt Whiskey was aged for three years in a single cask—Barrel 1696—and was hand-selected by Barquentine Brewing Company. Only 240 bottles of this whiskey (100 proof) will be available exclusively at Barquentine Brewing in Edgewater, Colo. These specialty Single Barrel bottles are expected to go fast, so don’t wait to get your hands on one!