In an exclusive partnership with The American Chestnut Foundation, The Obscure Distillery – makers of “unusual and experimental spirits” – has announced the release of Rites of Fall, an American chestnut-matured rye whiskey.
The Obscure Distillery Rites of Fall is bottled at 47% ABV and retails for $150 via the distillery’s website and at Lee’s Discount Liquors in Nevada. A portion of the proceeds from each bottle purchased will benefit The American Chestnut Foundation’s restoration efforts.
The American Chestnut
The American Chestnut was once a domineering presence in American forests. However, in the early 20th century, the population was decimated by a fungal blight. As a result, very few American chestnut sprouts survive to become fully mature.
The American Chestnut Foundation works to revive the American chestnut, which was historically a valuable food source for wildlife and a prized timber. In addition, the foundation’s work also creates opportunities to sequester carbon and help to mitigate climate change.
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“We are thrilled to partner with The Obscure Distillery in our collective efforts to restore this iconic tree,” said Will Pitt, President & CEO of The American Chestnut Foundation. “Funds raised through the generosity of The Obscure Distillery will increase awareness and directly support our research to bring back a disease-resistant and genetically diverse population of American chestnut. It’s a testament to good taste buds and American chestnut nostalgia that the whiskey is being introduced by the distillery.”
The Obscure Distillery
In 2022, LA-based The Obscure Distillery joined efforts to revive the American chestnut. By maturing exclusively on the functionally extinct wood, the distillery “preserve[s] both the unique flavors of the American chestnuts and the tree itself.”
In order to maintain the integrity of the precious resource, the distillery takes a different approach to traditional coopering. According to a brand press release, Obscure’s approach “brings forth the essence of the tree without sacrificing it. A base of Ohio rye meets fallen limbwood from the carefully groomed orchards to produce a whiskey seasoned with American chestnut.”
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The resulting Rites of Fall Whiskey is rich with notes of apricot, candied orange peel, nuts, rye spice, and dried fig.
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