Sugar Creek Winery's newest offering isn't wine at all; it's spirits! Distillery of Defiance is officially here to sip and sample on its own, or in a delicious cocktail.
Sugar Creek's owner Becky Miller created Sugar Creek from her love of travel to Missouri wine country when she bought her own winery in Defiance to bring her wine passion to life. The interest runs deep through their family with her son, Chris Lorch, learning more about winemaking in Napa Valley, and returning home to Missouri to develop his winemaking for Sugar Creek today.
Judgment Tree, the spirits offered at Distillery of Defiance, are another handcrafted project by Chris.
Judgment Tree brandy and vodka is made locally by Chris and his business partner, Scott Koziatek. Chris says it all started with a dream and an 8-gallon pot still back in 2012. The evolution of Distillery of Defiance is more than 12 years in the making, although their combined experience stretches many decades. The tree that the name celebrates is a historical local spot where Daniel Boone held court, judging local cases.
The duo's inspiration: "Judgment Tree is an ode to the idea of being open to judgement of our merit, and believing in our idea and our dream."
Both the Judgment Tree brandy and vodka products are made from wine. "The vodka is taken out of the still at 190 proof to create a flavor neutral profile, and then blended down to 80 proof for sale," Chris says. "The brandy is produced at a lower alcohol concentration, leaving it flavor positive and capturing character from the wine."
Chris explains, "Anything you create with a whisky or bourbon can be enjoyed with our brandy as a substitute."
He says the brandy drinks like a smooth, elegant bourbon, and is meticulously aged in brand-new American oak barrels, charred with toasted heads. It is aged for a minimum of two years, with the most recent release (batch #8) aged four and a half years.
Their go-to concoction with Judgment Tree Brandy? The Old Fashioned is a tried-and-true favorite and is back in popularity. This cocktail is a crowd pleaser and stands the test of time. A plain Old Fashioned is appropriate any time of the year, but for summer a fruity twist sounded delicious.
Here's a fun take on a classic Old Fashioned for the warm Missouri months, especially when entertaining outdoors on a breezy evening with friends.
1. Start with a sugar cube at the bottom of the glass and add a dash or two of bitters.
2. Add a peach slice and an orange slice. Muddle.
3. Fill glass with a large whiskey ice cube or crushed ice.
4. Add brandy to liking.
5. Top with sparkling water, if desired, to lighten it up or balance the flavors.
6. Garnish with a peach slice, or even a cherry.
7.Let creativity shine by adding other fruits or rinds to your liking.