Far North Spirits Rosen Single Varietal Straight Rye Whiskey

Far North Spirits Rosen Single Varietal Straight Rye Whiskey 47%-ABV, 750ml bottles.

About Far North Spirits:

Far North Spirits is a field-to-glass, estate distillery located on a fourth-generation family farm in extreme northwestern Minnesota, just miles from the Canadian border. It is known for growing nearly all of its own non-GMO grains and producing a range of acclaimed spirits, including rye whiskey, bourbon, gin, and rum.

About the Distillery

Founded in 2013 by Michael Swanson, a fourth-generation farmer, and his wife Cheri Reese, Far North Spirits is the northernmost distillery in the contiguous United States. The core philosophy revolves around the concept of terroir (sense of place), emphasizing that grain variety and farming practices significantly impact the final flavor of the spirit.

• Estate-Grown Grains: The distillery grows single-varietal rye (such as AC Hazlet and Oklon varieties) and heirloom corn on 1,000 acres of fertile, jet-black soil—the ancient seabed of glacial Lake Agassiz.
• Sustainability: Far North Spirits practices regenerative agriculture, including no-till planting, cover cropping, and returning over 50 acres to native prairie for pollinator habitats. It is the first distillery to be certified as a Pollinator Partnership Bee Friendly Farm.
• Production Process: Every step of production—milling, mashing, fermenting, distilling, and bottling—is carried out on-site using sustainable practices like in-floor radiant heating and natural cooling.

Featured Spirits and Products

Far North Spirits offers a variety of products, each with a Scandinavian-inspired name and distinct profile.

• Roknar Minnesota Straight Rye Whiskey: This flagship rye whiskey is praised for balancing the spice of rye with richer notes of caramel, toffee, and vanilla. It is available in various expressions, including Bottled-in-Bond and single varietals.
• Bødalen Straight Bourbon Whiskey: A high-rye bourbon made with heirloom corn and Hazlet rye, known for having notes of sweet corn, candy apple, and savory, peppery tones.
• Solveig Gin: Distilled with botanicals like juniper, fresh grapefruit peel, organic thyme, and dried lavender, this gin is described as fresh, citrusy, and bright, with a lingering cool finish. There is also an "Anna's Garden" gin variation featuring hibiscus and dill.
• Gustaf Navy Strength Gin: A higher-proof gin (57% ABV).
• Ålander Rum: Named for the rum-producing Åland islands, this Nordic-style rum comes in white, spiced, and barrel-aged options.

Reviews and Recognition

Reviewers and experts often highlight Far North Spirits' unique "grain-forward" approach, which is rare in an industry that typically uses commodity grains.

• Whiskey Advocate and Forbes have featured the distillery and its products in articles, with Roknar receiving multiple awards.
• Some reviewers note that while the use of smaller (15-gallon) barrels for aging can impart a strong oak character quickly, the resulting flavors are unique and "meditation-worthy" for those who enjoy complex, woodier profiles. The focus on single varietal ryes is considered a radical and innovative move in the industry.