Pour something truly special this season with an exceptional whiskey from Far North Spirits. The farm, distillery, and tasting room are located just 25 miles from the Canadian border, but you can find their rye whiskey, bourbon, gin, and rum at many stores around the state as well as online.
The story of Far North is one of family legacy, regenerative agriculture, and the pursuit of crafting exceptional spirits. Co-owners and husband-and-wife team, Michael Swanson and Cheri Reese both grew up in Hallock, MN, and returned after over 20 years away. Cheri shared their motivation: “We decided to return home and make something out of grain we grew on the farm – to choose the way we live, to live more simply, to make authentic products reflective of our Scandinavian heritage - and most importantly, to demonstrate that making things authentically and sustainably results in spirits that are not just more responsible or marketable, but inherently better.”
The distillery is proud to be one of just a handful of estate distilleries nationwide that grows their own grain. Similar to the approach in the wine industry, they focus on varietals, resulting in complex and distinct flavors in the finished spirits. They are also the only distillery in the country to be certified by the Pollinator Partnership as a Bee Friendly Farm.
Asked about their passion, Cheri emphasized, “It’s all about the grain - we love changing the conversation about whiskey from a discussion about how old it is to a conversation about the grain - the varietals of rye and how they impact flavor. This is a new conversation in the world of whiskey and it’s one that is long overdue.”
Perhaps the most important question – their favorite cocktails? Michael will take a Sazerac and Cheri will have a Negroni. Don’t mind if we join them!
