Ironroot Republic Distilleries

 Trying to broaden our tasting hobby has been a challenge in 2020, but we hit the jackpot on our visit to Ironroot!  Although we couldn't tour the facility, we were allowed to taste a few things just inside the door and were therefore able to see most of the operation.  Ironroot is a family business, and we were fortunate to meet the three major players on our visit. 

The matriarch of this family, lovingly known as The Mother of Texas Whiskey, knows this business backwards and forwards, and is happy to share her knowledge.  She understands the process of making good whiskey, and she understands people.  Her sons, Jonathan and Robert, dedicated time and energy to learning the craft before they decided to enter the distilling game.  

One of my favorite parts of their story is the name.  T.V. Munsen is the man most often attributed to putting Texas wine on the world stage.  He was a horticulturist who lived in Denison, TX, and basically "saved" the French wine industry by grafting the "iron"grape roots of Texas vines to French vines that were devastated by an insect.  Ironroot Distilleries pays its respect to Munsen's iron root heroics, and the land from which he worked.  The products of this distillery are mashed, fermented, distilled, barrel-aged, and bottled on site in Denison.  This is one big chemistry experiment that has really good results!

Ironroot is very particular and varied with the corn they use in processing.  With varietals such as Heirloom Purple, Yellow Dent, Red Flint, and Bloody Butcher, they find the right proportion to achieve the taste they want.  

They offer several whiskeys as well as gin and moonshine.  Their flagship product is an award-winning  hefty Bourbon, Harbinger.  Not one to be downed quickly, it comes in at 115 proof.  When allowed to open up it has a really nice nutty quality both on the nose and in the mouth.  The taste of dark sugars are prevalent on the finish, almost hinting at burnt but not offensive.  We prefer to sip this one over ice due to the alcohol content, but a few drops of water are also a nice addition if you prefer.  

Ironroot is a production that has taken it's time and done things right.  They already have a consistency that is proven, while still not afraid to try some new things.  Pay them a visit and taste for yourself.  You won't be disappointed.  

Cheers, y'all!