Gift Your Loved Ones These Montana-Made Liquors

The holidays are here and you’re likely to make a few runs to the liquor store before the season is over. With so many people to shop for, gifting someone a new bottle of their favorite type of liquor is a quick and thoughtful way to spoil a loved one. It tastes even better when you know your beverage is locally sourced and supports the distilleries of Montana. For the liquor lovers in your life, here are our selected Montana-made drinks and recipes we suggest gifting this holiday season.

Steel Toe Distillery – Steel Toe Show Pony Gin

Just like its name, the show-stopping taste of the Show Pony Gin will arrest you right where you stand. Crafted in 1975 to be a conversation starter and a spectacle of interest, the Show Pony Gin from the Steel Toe Distillery here in Montana infuses a blend of spices not typically found in gins today. With juniper berries, cinnamon, almond, orange and lemon peel, coriander, and licorice root, thoughtfully combined, it’s no wonder the Show Pony Gin has become somewhat of a specialty spirit in the last few years.

Drink Recipe: Show Pony Gin

1.3 oz. Show Pony Gin
½ oz. sweet Vermouth
⅛ oz. Maraschino liqueur
2 dashes of Bitters

Pour the Show Pony Gin, sweet Vermouth, Maraschino liqueur, and Bitters into a stirring glass. Fill the glass with ice and stir for 10 seconds. Strain the cocktail into a cocktail glass and add an orange zest garnish.

Inspired by: 6 Gin-Based Holiday Cocktails — Forbes

Papas Pilar Blonde Rum

The Papas Pilar Blonde Rum is the perfect gift for a friend or family member that likes to stand out. Known as the first “blonde” rum ever made, the Papas Pilar Blonde Rum is unlike any rum you’ve sipped before. That’s because Hemingway, the maker, created the blonde rum by fusing together hand-selected rums from the Caribbean, Central America, and Florida. The crafty concoction releases a smooth mouthful of almond, oak, and citrus. Blended in American Oak bourbon barrels and authentic sherry casks, it’s no wonder Papas Pilar Blonde Rum has won the “94 Points” & #1 White Rum” awards from Worlds Spirits Competition

Drink Recipe: Papas Pilar Blonde Rum

Blonde & Stormy

1.5 oz. Papa’s Pilar Blonde Rum
3 oz. ginger beer
A dash of bitters
Lime wheel for garnish

Pour the rum and ginger beer into a glass of ice. Add in a bit of bitters and a lime wheel for garnishing.

Courtesy of: Papa’s Pilar Cocktail Recipe’s — Got Rum

Steel Toe Distillery – Steel Toe Settlers Tea

Back in the day, when access to clean water was not so easy in Montana, settlers found themselves mixing beer and liquor with tea leaves to quench their thirst. Similar to this historic recipe, the Steel Toe Distillery has introduced the Steel Toe Settlers’ Tea. An ode to the Montanaians who lived before us, the flavored vodka is infused with black tea, mint, and rose hips and produces a light, sweet and citrusy taste.

Whistling Andy Distillery – Whistling Andy Straight Bourbon

Tucked away in Bigfork Montana, Whistling Andy Distillery produces its Straight Bourbon Whiskey with a lower corn component than almost any bourbons found on the market today. According to the distillery, the Whistling Andy Straight Bourbon mash bill contains 60% corn, 17.5% barley, 17.5% wheat, and 5% rye. This difference strips the bourbon of some sweetness typically associated with high corn bourbons, which is more attractive to some bourbon drinkers. The Whistling Andy Straight Bourbon is aged for about 4 years in new charred and toasted barrels. While the aroma may give off hints of apples, oatmeal, and apricot, do not be fooled! A simple sip reveals a woody, vanilla bean taste with an almost fruitful finish.

Drink Recipe: Whistling Andy Straight Bourbon