Non-Distilling Producers of Whiskey
a discussion with MGP Ingredients, Inc.
Some time ago, Hannah and I were discussing distillers and the various whiskies they produce. We each have our favorites and not so favorite labels made by the big conglomerates:
- Beam/Suntory
- Brown-Forman
- Buffalo Trace/Sazarac
- Four Roses
- Heaven Hill
- Wild Turkey
As Hannah and I were talking and listing the product line ups, she called me out. She said I had a bias against non-distilling producers of whiskey (NDPs).
Her comment got me to thinking … Am I a bourbon snob? Do I really have a bias for or against a label just because I may or may not know the distiller? I didn’t want to think so.
Until our conversation I had only bought a few NDP products. Maybe I just hadn’t found one which fit my profile. Bottles had come from Bulleit, (both their regular Bourbon and their Barrel Strength) as well as a few (and somewhat obscure) hard to find bourbons from Hudson’s Baby Bourbon, Jefferson’s Reserve, Noah’s Mill Genuine Bourbon, and Willet Pot Still Reserve I had read about. Other than the Bulleit Barrel Strength, none really impressed.
THE TOPIC TRIGGER
Well, as often happens, the discussion went by the wayside. Then a chance purchase caught my attention: Rebel Yell 10 Year Single Barrel. This was a decent bourbon. Soon after came Old Ezra 07 Year Barrel Strength (a bottle which is now always on my shelf along with a backup in the bunker). Prior to the Lux Row distillery in Bardstown, KY opening in 2018, Luxco did source both Rebel and Old Ezra distillate.
Then came the catalyst for this article: a Smooth Ambler Old Scout BWE Private Pick. The barrel purchase had been arranged by members of a local whiskey enthusiast group of which I am a member. MGP Ingredients, Inc. (MGP) had distilled our barrel.
With the discovery, another whiskey article quest had begun. After an extensive internet search, I sent an email referencing our potential post about contract distillers to MGP via their website. Several email exchanges later, I connected with Jenell Loschke, Public Relations and Content Manager at MGP.
MGP INGREDIENTS, INC. BACKGROUND
MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq: MGPI) is a leading producer of premium distilled spirits, branded spirits, and food ingredient solutions. Since 1941, MGP has combined their expertise and energy aimed at formulating excellence, bringing product ideas to life collaboratively with their customers. MGP Ingredients was once known as Midwest Grain Products and to the layperson, the name has stuck with the acronym.
MGP’s branded spirits portfolio covers a wide spectrum of brands in every segment, including iconic brands from Luxco, which was founded in 1958 by the Lux Family. (MGP purchased Luxco in April, 2021.) Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products. Their branded spirits mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners.
For more information, click MGP Ingredients.
ABOUT LUXCO
You may be aware of Luxco and their diverse line of products, from whiskeys (e.g. Ezra Broof, Rebel, George Remus, etc.) to tequilas and even gins (El Mayor, Burch Gin, etc.) Distilleries for all of these products are equally diverse, from Kentucky, to Washington D.C., as well as Ireland and Mexico.
Click Luxco Brands, to learn more.
Ms. Loschke was unable to confirm or deny for which bottlers her company distills …
While there’s a lot of discussion and speculation about which whiskeys are sourced from MGP, we don’t disclose our customers due to strict NDAs.
… but did indicate an interest in learning more about the direction and parameters we intended to take in our story. We exchanged a few ideas and decided the best way to prepare for the article would be via a question and answer exchange.
After choosing my topics and writing down my questions, I transmitted the list. A week or so later I received a reply from David Dykstra, Vice President of Alcohol Sales and Marketing at MGP. Following is our dialog …
WhiskeyfortheAges: Thank you for working with me on this project. Let’s jump right in.
WftA: Why would a distiller/bottler choose to partner with MGP?
David Dykstra, MGP: Distillers choose to partner with MGP because we are collaborative, flexible and deliver consistent quality at any scale. We work with—and champion – customers of all sizes, from startups to multinationals, with products and services that best meet their unique needs. With a new brand, for example, we can provide aged product to generate income while their operations are ramping up. Our work with established brands can range from ensuring a reliable supply to creating a customized mash bill or a unique medley of our time-tested products.
Photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash
Finally, our spirits are proven. MGP is one of the largest U.S. distillers and one of America’s top multi-line producers (meaning non-brand affiliated) of premium distilled spirits. We are the largest U.S. producer of rye whiskey and distilled gin.
WftA: What benefit does a distiller/bottler get by partnering with MGP?
MGP: The benefit of partnering with MGP is our commitment to best addressing each customer’s individual needs. Our approach is not cookie-cutter.
WftA: What kind of guidance does MGP provide to its clients?
MGP: We are attuned to consumer trends. MGP can help a customer identify and quickly leverage opportunities. Our experienced sales and R&D teams are always available to provide one-on-one consultation.
WftA: What does MGP do for its clients?
MGP: MGP offers one-on-one consultation, product development, custom mash bills and tailored formulations via the expertise and collaboration of our master distillers and master blenders, barrel finishes/wood inserts, whiskey maturation and storage, and a variety of shipping options including via totes, tanker, or rail car.
WftA: How many recipes/mash bills/yeast strains does MGP offer potential clients?
We offer more than a dozen standard mash bills. Each can stand alone or be mingled to create the precise flavor a customer wants. MGP also collaborates with customers to create proprietary, customized whiskey and bourbon formulations, as well as custom gin formulations. We work with five yeast strains identified as best used for five types of spirits: rye whiskey, wheat whiskey, light whiskey, gin and vodka.
WftA: How much leeway does MGP give its clients in the development of mash bills/recipes and the like?
MGP: We support customers’ dreams and their desire to create stand-out spirits. That’s why we offer infinite customization options, including work with less-common grains.
WftA: Does MGP offer bottling and labeling services for their clients?
MGP: No.
WftA: How does MGP help new non-distilling producers of whiskey with product until their own distillate is ready to be bottled?
When do typical partnerships end?
MGP: It is difficult to define a “typical” partnership and when it might end, given the individualized approach we bring to our work.
We help get new distillers up and running with aged product, offering a minimum order of four barrels for standard mash bills. In addition, MGP serves as an on-going supplementary source for a brands’ needs throughout their lifecycle. Once a spirit is produced, we can ship it to the customer for maturation and customization at their distillery. Or we can mature and customize the product in our warehouse on their behalf. We help address variations in demand and production the brand may have.
WftA: How does a brand contact MGP?
MGP: They can reach us through our website, via email (sales@mgpingredients.com), or by calling 888-897-3836.
WftA: In behalf of our readers, I would like to thank you for your time and for assisting with my questions. I am sure they will enjoy our exchanges.
MGP: Thank you for thinking of us!
WRAP-UP
So what did I learn??? MGP can help any size bottler or distiller (including start-up crafts) by providing them with aged product until their distillate is ready. They can also help seasoned companies who may need an assist with recipes and inventory. In addition to warehousing, MGP offers the ability to ship product to their customers via totes, tanker, or rail car for maturation and customization at the bottler’s or distiller’s own facilities.
Finally as I was proofing this post, I decided maybe I have been a bit of a snob when considering product from an NDP. With my new-found knowledge I will now be much less reluctant to try offerings with “Bottled by …” labeling. What do you think? Can you too relax your standards?
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Non-distilling Producers of Whiskey
written October 2021 by Brian Dawson
Editor, WhiskeyfortheAges.com