Looking for Rum in Kansas
Contributed by on Oct 01, 2015
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Since Rum got its start in the 13 Colonies here before the USA, it seems right that its presence in Distilleries, as we go further west, tends to fade away. However, I am determined to "fill in" the states that have no Rum distillers listed in our Guide. I was not thinking too positively when I began my search in this interior state, but found a goodly amount of Distillers. Being a Grain State, Sure it seemed they all were Whiskey based (nothing wrong there, but not my focus here) ... I did stumble upon:
Looks like we found not only a Rum but two Rums!!
Wichita’s 1stlegal distillery
Wheat State Distilling is a Kansas artisan distillery producing premium spirits including vodka, gin, whiskey, bourbon and rum. Our Wheat Vodka is for sale now at the distillery and at Kansas liquor stores with our Gin and White Rum for sale later this spring. We currently are aging our Wheat Whiskey, Bourbon Whiskey and Spiced Rum.
Master Distiller & Owner- David Bahre
David Bahre’s love and knowledge of grains and fine spirits combined into an obsession. After years of planning, he started building the distillery in January of 2013 and Wheat State Distilling officially opened in December of 2013.
David is a Wichita native and self-professed nerd. Following a family tradition in agriculture, he received his bachelor’s degree in Grain Science and Milling from Kansas State University and is working on his Masters in Agribusiness from KSU as well. Wheat State Distilling is a family owned and operated business. David’s wife, Kim, a Wichita native and KSU grad as well, works along with him. Their daughter, the inspiration for Bella Bahre’s Bourbon, is a frequent sight at the distillery in addition to great friends and family who help out when needed. Shiloh, the Great Dane better known as the Hooch Pooch can regularly be spotted lounging on the couch watching the hard work happen.
Why Kansas?
Wheat makes some of the best spirits in the world. With the best wheat in the world in Kansas, why are spirits not made here? David has set out to change this.
Field-to-bottle
Wheat State Distilling’s goal is field to bottle distilling, tracing the ingredients we use from the FARM to the MILL to the STILL to the BOTTLE. You can track how your spirits were made with the hand written batch and bottle numbers on your label this web site. Learn more under Our Process.
Wheat State Distilling’s focus is premium, Hand-crafted spirits
made from local quality grains.
So I see that their main aim is whiskey. They do, however have this in their repertoire:
WHITE RUM
Available NOW in our tasting room and at liquor stores across Kansas!!
SPICED RUM
NOW available at the Distillery
Rum barrel aged for 7 months, infused with cinnamon, clove, ginger, vanilla.
This said..... I don't have lots of info on Wheat State Distillery (WSD), I will send a follow up email and see what I can find out!
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As we enter the Fall season -- This is an IDEAL time to enjoy a nice Dark & Stormy:
Dark & Stormy Ingredients
→ 2 ounces rum -- dark rum
→ 3 ounces ginger beer
→1/2 ounce lime juice
Collins glass, or, my favorite a mug
Instructions:
Combine the rum, the ginger beer, and the lime juice (optional), in a tall glass full of ice cubes and give it a good stir.The idea here is to nail the ratio between the spice of the ginger beer and the richness of the rum. Depending on brands of each used, you may want to play around with the proportions. For an “Authentic” Bermuda D&S, omit the lime juice.
Remember, Ginger Beer is NOT Ginger Ale. There are a number of very good brands out there at good liquor stores. Experiment with the one YOU like with the Rum YOU LIKE.
I have heard of making it with Spiced Rum but have not tasted one myself. I'd be interested in your reaction to this easy and very satisfying drink.....
October is a special time of the year for RTRR... Why you ask? Because its our Anniversary Month!! More on that later this month as I recall some of our early places, people and ideas....
