Stein Distillery

Overview of the Distillery

Stein Distillery is located in Joseph, Oregon, and crafts handcrafted whiskey, vodka, and rum using locally grown grain and High Mountain Glacier Water. The distillery runs a tasting room where guests can order mini cocktails made from the house’s spirits, taste releases, and purchase special bottles directly. One of the house’s longer-aged releases, a nine-year Straight Ram Rye, has won a gold medal at the SIP Awards.

History

Stein Distillery presents itself as a locally rooted, craft-oriented distillery in Joseph, Oregon. The facility is actively used for events and community; on May 13, 2023, the distillery hosted an Artisan Fair in the tasting room, where local artisans sold their work, and guests could sample the distillery’s spirits. Shortly after, on June 2, 2023, the distillery’s 9yr Straight Ram Rye Whiskey earned a gold medal at the SIP Awards. The award marks recognition of work with longer aging and New American oak in their rye barrels.

Raw Materials and Production

Raw materials and water are central to production: Stein uses locally grown grain from Oregon together with High Mountain Glacier Water as process water. On-site, several types of spirits—whiskey, vodka, and rum—are distilled in smaller, house-distilled batches. The daily operation is small-scale and handcrafted rather than industrial-scale; the tasting room serves as both a sales and tasting platform, where mini-cocktails are made from the house’s spirits and selected bottles are presented to guests.

Maturation and Barrel Types

Aging plays a role in the distillery’s releases, especially for longer-aged bottles. An explicit example is the 9yr Straight Ram Rye, which is aged in New American oak for nine years. New American oak is used to create structure in the longer-aged bottlings, and such limited releases are sold directly in the tasting room.

Whiskeys

Stein Distillery’s range includes whiskey/bourbon, vodka, rum, Steinshine and cordials as well as a cocktail menu in the tasting room. Among the documented products, a nine-year Straight Ram Rye is highlighted, released as a limited bottle and awarded a gold medal at SIP Awards 2023. The distillery’s tasting room and online shop serve as the primary sales channels for special releases.

Whiskey	Type / Series	Age	Barrel & Style	Flavor Profile	Status
9yr Straight Ram Rye Whiskey	Rye Whiskey	9 years	New American oak barrels	Nose: Warm spices with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg; Taste: Caramel sweetness with a hint of black pepper; Finish: Smooth, warm finish	Limited; Limited; available in the distillery’s tasting rooms

General Flavor Profile

The described profile of the nine-year Straight Ram Rye points to warm spices, caramel sweetness, and a warm, lightly spicy finish.

Spices are described as cinnamon and nutmeg. Caramel is described as caramel sweetness.

Visit the Distillery

Stein Distillery welcomes visitors to a tasting room in Joseph, where you can order handcrafted mini-cocktails based on the house’s whiskey, vodka, and rum as well as participate in tastings. The distillery hosts events such as Artisan Fair, and special releases are often sold directly in the tasting room. An online shop and contact details are available for those who wish to buy remotely.

Philosophy and Craft

The distillery’s values revolve around local sourcing and craft: using locally grown grain, High Mountain Glacier Water, and a small-scale, house-distilled approach to spirit production. The tastings in the tasting room are an integral part of the concept, both as a contact point with customers and as a sales channel for special releases.

Prices and Recognitions

Gold (2023, Gold, 9yr Straight Ram Rye Whiskey)

Latest News

Sip, Shop, and Celebrate: Artisan Fair at Stein Distillery This Mother's Day Weekend! – 2023-05-06

Announcement of the Artisan Fair on May 13, 2023 at Stein Distillery’s tasting room in Joseph, Oregon, with tastings, mini cocktails, and local craft booths.