Palm Ridge Reserve Whiskey

( Palm Ridge Reserve Whiskey / May 2, 2012 )

Maker: Florida Farm Distillers, Umatilla, PalmRidgeReserve.com

Price: $55 for a 750 ml bottle

Marti and Dick Waters have owned their Umatilla farm for more than 20 years. Their goal has always been to make a living from the farm instead of working outside. After reading about Midwest farmers successfully starting distilleries, they transformed their barn. For the last three years, they've been hand producing about 6,000 bottles a year.

The Waters utilize a traditional method of whiskey making which results in a more intense, grain forward flavor profile. Hands-on production also results in a higher price point than many whiskeys, but the taste of this bourbon-style whiskey is well worth it. Along with sipping, restaurants across the state are using it for everything from ice-cream infusions, to bread puddings and barbecue sauces.

Last month, the whiskey won a silver medal at the American Distilling Institutes National Conference.