History

Panther Distillery was founded in 2010 and is dedicated to continuing Minnesota's legacy of exceptional distilled spirits that go back to Prohibition. Minnesota's original distillery describes itself as a place where the backyard's natural resources enable the making of the finest whiskey and spirits in the heart of Minnesota.

The Beginning

In 2011, Adrian Panther set out to bring great spirits to Minnesota. He formed a partnership with Brett Grinager, who learned the art of distillation from some of the most respected distilleries in the USA and now contributes experience, ingenuity, and creativity.

Environment and production philosophy

The distillery is located in Osakis, Minnesota, surrounded by lake country. Everything here is exposed to all four seasons, and cold aging is a recurring part of the process, described as a characteristic feature that gives the spirits their distinctive note.

Equipment and ingredients

The three 500-gallon copper distillation units are American-made, and the charred American white oak barrels form the basis for aging. The grain comes from local agriculture within about 30 miles of the distillery, and characterizes a local, start-to-finish approach, where some of the distillers also grow the grain.

Around the distillery

• Osakis, MN: Distillery and gift shop; daily tastings and free tours.
• Browerville, MN: Storage and aging of whiskey and bourbon in a former Land O’ Lakes factory.
• Grain Elevator Osakis, MN: Mills and parts of in-house production of the grain for mash.
• The Wedum Building Alexandria: Houses hundreds of barrels for aging.
• The Creamery Osakis, MN: Offices and bottling facility.

Production / Manufacturing

The Beginning and the Environment

The distillery describes itself as a company where a burning interest in Minnesota and its climate drives the process, and where cold aging occurs as an annual part of the barrel's life cycle.

Equipment

Three 500-gallon copper stills form the engine of production, and the use of charred American white oak barrels is regarded as of the highest quality.

Ingredients

The use of fresh, locally grown yellow corn, red wheat, and red rye from within about 30 miles of the distillery is central, and the grain is grown by some of the distilleries themselves, underscoring a farm-to-finish approach.

Products / Whisky Series

• Ordeal Straight Bourbon: Aged four years, 1-liter bottle. Described as a very smooth and robust bourbon, good for cocktails; sweet at the start and with a finish that brings a deep wheat-forward note and hints of caramel and vanilla.
• Saint Paul Straight Bourbon: 84 proof, 750 ml; aged 3 years; high-rye bourbon with spice-forward character and in limited quantities.
• Minneapolis 14 Wheated Bourbon: 80 proof, 750 ml; a seven-year-old wheated bourbon, aged in the Minnesota climate; made from a blend of Minnesota-grown corn and wheat; best enjoyed slowly.
• Minnesota 14 Whiskey: 80 proof, 750 ml; “Oldest MN Whiskey”; all-corn mash, handcrafted in small batches and cold-weather aged.
• Minnesota 14 Apple: 80 proof, 750 ml; corn bourbon infused with Minnesota-grown red apples; aging around two years and suitable for neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails.
• Minnesota 14 Honey: 80 proof, 750 ml; aging around two years; natural buckwheat honey provides subtle sweetness; can be enjoyed on the rocks or in cocktails.
• Minnesota 14 Maple: 80 proof, 750 ml; aging around two years; the marriage between natural maple syrup and Minnesota 14 Whisky yields a soft, balanced note with maple flavor.
• Minnesota 14 (Pure Minnesota 14 Whisky): 80 proof, 750 ml; aged in small batches; marks ‘Oldest MN Whiskey’ with a pure all-corn profile.

Visits / Experiences

• Tours and Gift Shop: They are open for tastings, tours, and shopping in the gift shop. Free tours and whiskey tastings are on the schedule; winter months have fixed opening hours (Monday–Friday 10–16 and Saturday 10–16).

Philosophy

• Local ingredients and short distance between soil and distillery: all grain comes from within 30 miles.
• Cold climate as part of the identity: cold aging and the four seasons influence the product and give character.
• Copper as the centerpiece of distillation and a focus on high quality in barrels and aging.

Notes about experiences

• Gift Shop and tastings are an integral part of the visit, and there are free tours and three signature Panther whiskeys to taste during the visit.