Proof Artisan Distillers: set to warm up winter with whiskeys

Beer Snob | October 5th, 2016

By Chris Larson

Photo by Urban Toad Media

The words “artisan” and “craft” get thrown around an awful lot these days, and all too often are applied to products or businesses that are anything but. Fargo’s Proof Artisan Distillers, located just off Broadway at 414 4th Avenue North are not only delivering products that are deserving of the artisan label, but seem to infuse everything they do with a spirit of creativity and desire to deliver a unique experience.

When approaching one of their latest products to hit the local market, they made no attempt to directly copy or even slightly emulate the highest volume sellers in the cinnamon flavored whiskey category but rather went in nearly a complete opposite direction with their 2 DOCKS Fire by Proof.

According to mixologist/libations wizard Elijah Larson, by using ceylon cinnamon, which is known for a more delicate flavor with hints of clove and great natural sweetness, they aimed to make a spirit that would have a balance of whiskey and flavor that most flavored whiskeys lack. I would say they succeeded in that goal and created something not only palatable enough to sip on but versatile enough for dessert drinks and fall and winter cocktails.

While there are already a couple of dessert drinks on the menu at Proof, Elijah urges customers to look for some fall and winter ciders and warm drinks as the temperatures drop in the weeks to come.

Also in the weeks to come, expect to see them play around more and more with another of their newest spirits, MINIONS VänSkap Aquavit, their homage to deep Scandinavian roots, a liqueur whose name is Swedish for friendship. A bittersweet spirit with a very smooth, almost creamy mouthfeel, it delivers a complex mix of citrus, fennel, anise, caraway, coriander, juniper and a bit of dill. Immediately after splashing it across my tongue while making sure to coat each taste bud, I became excited to see what the talented mixologists at Proof and other great establishments in town will be able to create with this spirit.

Elijah served me up the first of Proof’s menu offerings that feature VänSkap and the simple additions of honey syrup and house-made orange bitters with a twist of orange delivered a soft, sophisticated drink that revealed different flavors with each sip.

While I waited for Elijah to serve up a few of his customers, I looked through the glass windows in the tasting room and set my eyes upon “The Judge”, a beautiful custom-made copper still that gets its name from its location. It sits underneath skylights that were formerly the judge’s chamber when the building was used as the Fargo Municipal Courthouse.

Yet another connection to local history is found in their reclaimed bar, which they have dubbed “Minions Bar.” This enormous and beautiful piece seems to float in the middle of the room and was rescued from the Down Under Bar in Grand Forks less than 24 hours before the building was demolished. The friends who helped remove this giant are forever known as “minions” and their commitment is enshrined in the name of their award-winning gin.

Yes, it’s true that the existing portfolio of spirits has received a lot of attention from the industry (the Barrel Reserve Minions got a 94 point rating and a Gold Medal at the Great American Spirits Festival last year) but there are many like myself who have been longing to taste the whiskeys they have had aging right under our noses. The whiskey that is the base of Fire by Proof is getting closer and closer to being able to be called bourbon and released to the public. This bourbon mash is, in accordance with the law of bourbon, aged in white American oak which just happens to be sourced completely from northern Minnesota.

Though I did get a sip of it and found it enjoyable, I am still going to reserve any judgements until it is fully aged and ready for bottling, but we can expect to be able to buy a dram at the tasting room sometime around the New Year. Unbound by aging laws, the first batch of their single malt American whiskey, “Glen Fargo,” is set for release in-house only sometime in October and is poised to deliver a soft balance of smoke and subtle peat that is approachable enough for those who didn’t think they were fans of scotch, but nuanced enough for those who do enjoy a wee dram from time to time.

The distillery plans on releasing both the bourbon and single malt to the tasting room only for the foreseeable future but both Fire by Proof, and VänSkap Aquavit are currently available for purchase at local retailers. To help kick off the new products, representatives from the distillery will be making appearances at liquor stores and special events where you can sample their entire line of products and learn how to make simple, delicious cocktails that feature great artisan spirits made with pride right here in Fargo.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Free Cocktail Class

Thursday, October 13, 6-8pm

Bottle Barn, 32nd Ave S & Veterans Blvd, West Fargo

(rsvp through eventbrite suggested)

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