Reunion Rye Whiskey — Barrel Strength (Union Horse Distilling Co.)

There were so many people who recommended Union Horse to us that we can’t list them all, so we decided to group them under the pseudonym “Sam from Idaho”. So thanks so much to “Sam” for making sure this incredible whiskey and story got in front of our community! Union Horse really is what the Blind Barrel experience is all about: family, local ingredients, and darn good whiskey. The distillery is an endeavor from the Garcia siblings, started in 2008 and named for their former horse farm and the unity brought about in their family because of the project! One of the earliest members of the current craft whiskey renaissance, they got on the right track with their set-up with the help of Dave Pickerell, former master-distiller for Maker’s Mark and known as the “Johnny Appleseed” of American Whiskey! As head distiller Travis Vander Vegte recalls, “I knew this was for real when Dave came on board.” They stress that “time matters”, and with patience and a focus on only using full-size 53 gallon casks, they grew to where they are today.

Although they say that Pickerell was especially instrumental in their Rye whiskey, eventually they had to learn through trial by fire, and this 100% Midwest-Grown Rye mashbill is the result of those trials! Union Horse sources local grains to make whiskeys that properly represent the meeting between the Midwest and the Great Plains. This Reunion Rye is playfully sweet for having a 100% rye mash bill, and drinks incredibly well at over 120 proof. Cask strength whiskey is very important to them, being the full expression of the spirit and presenting amazingly concentrated flavors. As Damian Garcia, their Co-Founder, says, “It’s whiskey in its purest form.” They’re just a quick jaunt over the border from Kansas City, so next time you’re trying that famous KC BBQ, pay a visit to our friends at Union Horse and wash it down with some delicious drams!