Timber Creek Launches Florida’s First Bourbon
A US distillery is preparing to launch what it claims is Florida’s first Bourbon. In addition, a new rye whiskey made from grains grown in the sunshine state.
Timber Creek Distillery, on Florida’s Gulf Coast, handcrafts its whiskey using 95% of grains grown in Florida. The grains are matured separately in charred Missouri Oak barrels and then blended. The result is, the distillery’s Timber Creek Florida Bourbon, Timber Creek Reserve Florida Bourbon Whiskey.
Timber Creeks wheated Florida Bourbon, is a blend of corn, wheat and barley. The Reserve Florida Bourbon Whiskey is produced using a rare four-grain blend that brings together corn, wheat, rye and barley. Lastly, their Black Rye Whiskey meanwhile, is made from 100% Florida 401 black rye – a strain of grain that grows only in Florida.
Co-founders Camden Ford and Aaron Barnes of Timber Creek started out as neighbors, now the duo produce their variety of spirits on Aaron’s family farm. Before Timber Creek, Camden was an engineer in Silicon Valley before moving his family back to Florida. Aaron Barnes, a home brewer, now master distiller, “I really didn’t know what to expect, but realized over a few glasses of whiskey on the back porch that we had a lot in common, including the passion for quality beverages,” said Aaron. “We wanted to create a whiskey that embodies the Florida Panhandle and share it with our community, like sharing a drink with a neighbor.”
Timber Creek Distillery also produces a variety of other spirits:
- Wheat vodka made from local North Florida red soft winter wheat
- Rum made with Louisiana sugarcane
- Dark rum barrel aged in charred Missouri Oak barrels
- Apple pie rum based on a family pie recipe.
Check out the annual Alys Beach Bourbon, Beer and Butts Festival on March 11th. Timber Creeks will unveil their new range of rye and bourbon whiskeys.
by Lauren Eads