History

New Year’s Day 2010 marked the opening of Montana's oldest operating distillery, Whistling Andy, and began a journey driven by local craftsmanship and family spirit. The name comes from Brian Andersson's father, who was called 'Whistling Andy' during military service, and this background lives on in the company's identity. Whistling Andy is described as rooted in heritage and as grain-to-glass, where the raw materials come from local farms and the water comes from a deep aquifer. The distillery has also engaged with the community and charity, including through the Spirit of Sperry project, where first-year profits go directly to Sperry Action Fund.

Production / Manufacturing

Whistling Andy distills and ferments everything at its own distillery and focuses on maintaining a close connection between the raw materials and the final product. The Grain to Glass principle emphasizes that the raw materials come from local family-owned farms and the water comes from a deep aquifer. Their range includes, among others: - Cucumber Gin: 8 botanicals including fresh cucumbers; cucumbers are macerated and steeped in the spirit for four days before redistillation; a strong citrus component lifts the cucumber to a light and bright flavor profile. - Pink Peppercorn & Pear Gin: 15 botanicals; ripe pears macerated with other botanicals for 2 days before redistillation, giving floral and delicate finish. - Hibiscus Coconut Rum: fermentation and distillation take place at the distillery; the rum is infused with dried hibiscus flowers, giving a slight red hue and balancing the sweetness of coconut. - Hopshnop: a collaboration with Bonsai Brewing Project, merging spirits and craft in Montana. - Moonshine Whiskey and other spirits are also part of the range.

Products / Whisky Series

Whistling Andy produces a variety of whiskies and related spirits: - Straight Bourbon Whiskey: mash bill 60% corn, 17.5% barley, 17.5% wheat, 5% rye; aged 3–4 years in American oak barrels; awarded Gold Medal from SIP Northwest. - Harvest Select Whiskey: 40% barley, 40% wheat, 15% corn, 5% rye; aged 3 years in heavily toasted and charred oak casks; described as softer and more delicate than typical American whiskies. - Moonshine Whiskey: a whiskey-style produced at the distillery (product name listed in the range). Whistling Andy focuses on local grain and deep aquifer water and works with a Grain to Glass approach in production.

Visits and Experiences

Whistling Andy offers tours and tastings (Tours & Tastings) and options to book a tour via the website, emphasizing an experience-oriented approach.

Philosophy

Whistling Andy lives by a clear Grain to Glass philosophy: raw materials from local farms, water from a deep aquifer, and a continual pursuit of quality and innovation. The company highlights community engagement and farmer contact with the question Do you know your farmer? and thus supports charitable causes such as Spirit of Sperry, where first-year profits go to Sperry Chalet. Their long list of medals and coverage in Esquire and Wine Enthusiast Magazine also demonstrate a culture of recognition and high craftsmanship.