From Farm to Glass: The Journey of Iron Fish and Mad Angler Whiskeys With Distillery Team Jeff, Isaac and Kyle

Send us a text


In our Last Podcast Of Season 6 The team visits Iron Fish
Distillery in Thompsonville, Michigan, where they explore the
nine-year-old farm-based operation producing grain-to-glass
whiskey with locally grown ingredients including their signature
hazelnut rye.

• Iron Fish grows over 80 acres of hazelnut rye, having recently
harvested 100,000 pounds for their whiskey production
• Started by sourcing MGP whiskey with unique barrel finishing
while waiting for their own distillate to mature
• Mad Angler series represents their premium line featuring 100%
house-distilled whiskey aged six years
• Brand draws inspiration from local author Michael Delp and the
fishing culture of Northern Michigan
• Tasting includes their 95% rye whiskey, four-grain bourbon, and
experimental offerings like their Manifesto series
• Distillery balances traditional methods with innovation,
creating unique flavor profiles in their limited releases
• Iron Fish's motto "returning spirit to its origin" parallels
steelhead trout returning to the Betsy River with bringing
whiskey back to its farm roots
• Their small-batch blending program showcases the importance of
finding the perfect proof point for each expression

Find Iron Fish Distillery's products on shelves throughout
Michigan or visit their tasting room to experience their full
lineup including exclusive releases.

Down a dirt road in Thompsonville, Michigan, something special is
happening at Iron Fish Distillery. This nine-year-old farm-based
operation has emerged as a beacon of craft distilling excellence
in the Great Lakes region, creating whiskeys that honor local
agricultural traditions while pushing creative boundaries.

The distillery's story mirrors the lifecycle of the steelhead
trout that swim in the nearby Betsy River—the namesake "iron
fish" that return to their birthplace after journeying through
Lake Michigan. Similarly, Iron Fish represents a return of
spirits to their agricultural origins, where grain and water
transform into something greater than the sum of their
parts.

During our visit, we explored their impressive 80-acre operation
where they've just harvested over 100,000 pounds of hazelnut rye
destined for their whiskey. Their strategic approach to
growth—sourcing quality MGP whiskey for creative barrel finishing
while patiently waiting for their own distillate to mature—has
positioned them for long-term success rather than rushing
immature product to market.

The Mad Angler series stands as their premium offering, featuring
100% house-distilled spirits aged six years. Drawing inspiration
from local author Michael Delp, these bottles literally emboss
the connection between fishing culture and whiskey appreciation.
The 95% rye whiskey delivers balanced spearmint and chocolate
notes without overwhelming dill characteristics, while their
four-grain bourbon offers exceptional complexity at 94 proof.
Most impressive is their experimental Manifesto series, which
grants blender Isaac complete creative freedom to work with any
barrel on the property, resulting in truly distinctive
expressions.

What makes Iron Fish exceptional isn't just the quality of their
spirits but their holistic approach to the craft. From their
barrel selection process—working with both local cooper Joe Smith
and premium Napa Valley suppliers—to their careful consideration
of proof points, every decision serves the spirit rather than


Add for SOFL


If You Have Gohsts


Support the show


https://www.scotchybourbonboys.com


The Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey
podcasts in the world
https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/