In all the time we’ve been writing about whiskey, seldom have I seen such an interesting way to promote a new expression. I give you the new Storm Tossed Rye Whiskey from Fremont Mischief Distillery out of Seattle, Washington. It involves whiskey aged in barrels at sea, two rival captains from the hit Discovery Channel series Deadliest Catch, and an effort to raise money for the Seattle Fisherman’s Memorial and Sea Scouts (more details on that aspect below).
Here’s what’s going on: Captain Sig of the F/V Northwestern, and Captain Casey and co-Captain Josh Harris of the F/V Cornelia Marie, each apparently decided to work with Fremont Mischief on this challenge. They are each attempting to be the first to sell out of their particular batch of Storm Tossed Rye Whiskey, so named because each batch spent at least part of its aging time tagging along at sea, experiencing a variety of ocean-based weather conditions, while the fishermen were out doing what they do – fishing.
There aren’t a ton of specifics available on mash bill, barrel type, or other specifics for the two variants of Storm Tossed on Fremont Mischief’s website, so we’ve put below what information is available, along with videos from each of the captains doing their challenge against one another. I personally like the video from Captain Sig, but can’t speak to which whiskey is better as of yet. If you want to get in on this you best buy a bottle while the challenge is still ongoing. It is set at this point to end on October 1.
Captain Sig’s Storm Tossed Rye (around $55 USD):
Affectionately known as “bow bender”, was barrel-aged in the ship’s bow while in rough water of the West Bering Sea. It surges with deep, pungent flavor and a hint of the briny sea.
Capt. Casey & co-Capt Josh’s Storm Tossed Rye (around $55 USD):
Barrel-aged in the ship’s bow while fishing the smoother waters of the North Bering Sea near the ice pack. Intense yet smooth toasted caramel, woodsy smoke & slight hint of the salty sea.
The group’s goal is to ultimately sell all the Storm Tossed Rye Whiskey and donate more than $40,000 to these foundations: Seattle’s Fisherman’s Memorial and Sea Scouts SES Propeller and SES Yankee Clipper.
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“Commercial fishing is among the most dangerous work in the world,” explained Mike Sherlock, owner of Fremont Mischief Distillery, in a prepared statement. “One November night, my fishing boat struck a ‘deadhead:, a tree floating just under the water; we sank in under 5 minutes. We put our survival suits on in the water. My brother and I spent 19 hours in icy seas before we were found. It could have been my family that needed the Fisherman’s Memorial Fund. No one who fishes commercially is untouched. We all have friends, loved ones and family who have been lost at sea. The Seattle Fisherman’s Memorial is there when we need them.”
“Sea Scouts train the next generation of people who, like all of us, love living and working on the water,” added Doug Dixon, Manager of Pacific Fishermen Shipyard. “It teaches young people to maintain, repair and operate larger vessels safely.”
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