Kinnickinnic: [KIN-I-KUH-NIK] An Ojibwe word meaning “what is mixed”.
Our Kinnickinnic Whiskey is a blend of straight bourbon and malt and rye whiskeys we produce here at Great Lakes Distillery. We bottle it at 86 proof and we don’t filter it so we can ensure ALL the very best flavor is making it into the bottle.
American blended whiskeys are typically a mixture of a little whiskey and neutral grain spirit (essentially vodka!). Rest assured, there is no Neutral Grain Spirit in Kinnickinnic. It’s 100% whiskey, and possibly the only American blended whiskey made this way on the market.
About the name- On the south side of Milwaukee we see Kinnickinnic everywhere- there is a main street through the Bay View neighborhood and a river named for it and several businesses include it in their name. To keep it quick and simple for locals and outsiders alike, many abbreviate it “KK” in writing and conversation. Kinnickinnic is an Ojibwe word meaning “a blend or mix of tobacco and other plants”.
What does this have to do with whiskey? Well, we think there are some pretty good analogies- bourbon is often described as having a fresh tobacco like flavor, and like those Native Americans we found blending our “tobacco” with another plant (in our case malted barley and rye) produced a truly unique and delicious spirit. In our own experiments we have also determined this whiskey which is spectacular neat or with a few ice cubes is great mixed too!
Gold- 2020 Whiskey & Barrel Consumer Choice Awards
Gold- 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Gold- 2012 Denver International Spirits Competition
“Best American Blended Whisky”- 2013 World Whisky Awards
Tasting Note from the Beverage Testing Institute where Kinnickinnic Whiskey was awarded the Silver Medal: “Minutely hazy light amber color. Light grainy, husky aromas are suggestive of buttery nut brittle, brown spices and chocolate oatmeal cereal with a silky, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a hint of mocha, mossy stone and pink pepper on the zesty finish. A nice choice for craft cocktails”.
“The whole is greater than the sum of it’s parts” -Aristotle
43% ABV | 86 Proof