Wyoming Whiskey - Real WYld Whiskey
By: Stephanie Weed
Sarah Steve and I took our own WYld Adventure out to Kirby to visit the Wyoming Whiskey distillery. First, a little backstory: I belong to a Whiskey tasting club here in Cody called Loch Katrine so Bourbon whiskey is a special interest of mine. That said, I had heard rumblings early on when WW started in 2006. I was thrilled as nothing makes me happier than to buy my favorite things locally. As soon as a bottle of their bourbon was available, I bought, I tried and well, I sighed. It was pretty rough stuff. I felt the potential but had no idea the complex golden elixirs they produce now were to come.
Like many before us, we found the drive out to the property to be beautiful on a lonely dirt road with open Wyoming sky. When we arrived at the tasting room -we were helpfully guided by Amanda, the tasting room and gift shop manager (just one of the hats she gladly wears) to not go too far and to stop at the little house with the metal fence first. Amanda’s warm smile greeted us and within minutes we felt like we were all long lost friends. Which may or may not have had something to do with coffee with whiskey in it. (Just saying…)
The gift shop was very well merchandised and charming. There is truly something for everyone in it-for example their Wyoming Whiskey Bourbon maple syrup-who doesn’t like syrup?
Amanda’s passion for the company and people and clear knowledge of and respect for the WW history and distilling processes was evident.
Since we really lucked out and were there right before tours were completely canceled we got a bit of a private tour. (You can’t see me, but just remembering I am doing a little happy dance.)
It is a tight and meticulous artisanal operation. Every step of the way you see and feel the love. We saw them transfer mash…so much mash. Then, when we finally got to the bottling area and we got to taste the love. Amanda introduced us to an integral team member: Derek. He is the unofficial magic maker and distiller. While generously educating us on the subtleties of distilling he shared with us that he had actually started his career as a brew master and has moved to distilling out of intrigue. Derek graciously invited us to taste three of his creations, not yet bottled future WW Small Batch Bourbons. He gave us a full dram of each and since it was 10:00 am he encouraged us to do what he does, taste, sniff, taste again and then…wait for it…Throw. The. Rest. On. The. FLOOR. It blew my mind. That smooth, delicious liquid wasted! It took me awhile but I did it. Talk about feeling spoiled!
I think I speak for all three of us, Steve, Sarah and myself, when I say it is an awesome adventure even if you are not a whiskey drinker, which Sarah isn’t and she had a great time. So much so that here is her take on our visit: