Brush Creek, a small-batch distillery set in the epicurean center of Wyoming’s Brush Creek Ranch, just released its first ever batch of Railroad Rye.
This unique rye whiskey traveled more than 1,200 miles across North America’s transcontinental railroad on a boxcar to its home at the distillery, where it matured on the 30,000-acre working cattle ranch in the Wyoming wilderness.
A statement from the distiller notes that Railroad Rye was made to celebrate the rich history of its land, and the innovation that led to exploration along the new western frontier.
Brush Creek Railroad Rye (image via Brush Creek)
“After more than two years in the making, we are elated to unveil Brush Creek Distillery’s first batch of Railroad Rye,” said Andrew Wason, managing director of Brush Creek Distillery. “This project was inspired by the pioneers ahead of us, and like them, we dream big and work tirelessly to push the boundaries in the spirits industry.”
In spring of last year, 80 barrels of Railroad Rye were put on pallets in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, then taken to Grand Worldwide Logistics in Chicago where they were loaded onto a Union Pacific railcar. They proceeded on the journey along the rails.
Then, this past June, stakeholders celebrated the arrival of these barrels at the John Bunning Transfer Station in Rock Springs, Wyoming, with a barrel thieving and toast before the barrels were loaded onto trucks and taken to their final destination at Brush Creek Distillery.
The distiller looks to Railroad Rye to promote the historical significance that took place in the Utah Territory, where the distillery is now located in south-central Wyoming.
The 104-proof Railroad Rye expression is limited to 3,000 bottles, each sequentially numbered, and referred to as “Boxcar #1”. The distillery has plans to release Railroad Rye annually, with each release showcasing a different mashbill, proof, and historical facts about the American West.
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Brush Creek Distillery opened in 2019 and its portfolio includes Brush Creek Gin, Brush Creek Vodka, Brush Creek Straight Bourbon and Brush Creek Straight Rye.
You can find their products in liquor stores, restaurants, bars, and hotels across Wyoming, Texas, Colorado, Kentucky, Indiana, and select Illinois, California, Florida, and New York markets.
