Missouri’s Switchgrass Spirits Has A Young Bourbon Whiskey For Sale

Switchgrass Spirits out of Missouri earlier this year released the first batch of its new one year old bourbon, which sold out in a couple of months. Since then, the distillery team there is said to have increased production and doubled efforts to get more whiskey out to market. This new bourbon, those that make it feel, is ideal for sipping at a campfire, straight up.

To get to their final expression, Switchgrass taste-tested over 15 bourbon proofs and settled on bottling at 92 proof because it offered what they felt was the best balance of smoothness and flavor. Patrick Grosch, founding member and head distiller, said in a prepared statement their proofing strategy was “unlike our 100 proof Rye and Apple Brandy, which were made for bartenders and cocktail creators, this bourbon is designed to drink neat.”

The Switchgrass recipe, it was noted, has a high wheat and barley content which gives what’s described as a smooth, honey flavor. It was aged in charred Missouri oak barrels.

“As craft distillers, we take several extra steps to make sure our whiskey tastes good coming out of the still before it even begins aging,” added Nick Colombo, another founding member. “We are proud to spend more time and money with our sweet mash method popular with craft breweries; our method and the care we take sets us apart from the big distilleries in Kentucky that sour mash their bourbon.”

Switchgrass Spirits is a local, worker-owner distillery located in Saint Louis, that focuses on distilling, aging and blending their own craft whiskies and fruit brandies. They released their first spirit in 2020: Copperhead Rock & Rye, a bottled whiskey cocktail after they first began distilling in 2018. 

They also released a Rye Whiskey and a nine-month Apple Brandy made with local fruit. Switchgrass Bourbon can be found at a range of local retailers in Missouri.