History

Wood Hat Spirits is a Missouri-based craft distillery based in New Florence. The owner and founder is Gary Hinegardner, described as a man of many hats, literally, as he also makes hats from wood. Behind the company's identity lies a clear passion for the field-to-glass experience and a unique narrative of ingenuity and craftsmanship. According to the company's own page, Wood Hat Spirits is a wood-fired distillery and carbon-neutral, with energy generated by burning waste wood from a local stave mill and using a heat-transfer oil that drives the boiler – a solution that also provides hot water in the process. Additionally, a practice of reusing mineral nutrients by using ash as fertilizer on the grain field, and that residuals and waste are generally handled responsibly.

There is also a focus on the history and people-driven culture around the distillery, including the description of Gary's colorful Wood Hat Movement and a long tradition of building relationships with local communities through visits, tours and events. The grain plays a central role: the distillery grows four heirloom varieties and has worked with the grains since 2012, which among other things makes the first batch ready for distillation in 2013. It also mentions a close integration between production, environmental awareness and local sourcing of raw materials.

Production and Approach

Wood Hat Spirits describes a production based on wood-fired distilling and carbon-neutral methods. The burning is done with waste wood from a nearby stave factory, and the heat is brought into the boiler via a specialized heat exchanger that uses a heat-transfer oil. The energy flow is supported by several cooling methods, including open tanks and heat exchangers, and they mention the use of geothermal and other loops to heat the building and save energy. By-products such as spent grain are used as feed for livestock, showing a holistic approach to waste management and proximity to their own grain production.

In addition, three types of treated casks and two sizes of casks are highlighted as important elements in aging, where barreling and secondary finishes contribute to the whiskey's character. The grain story is supported by the grain being homegrown on their own land and in practice appearing in many products across the range.

Products / Whisky Series

• All American Red White & Blue Corn Whiskey – Unnamed corn whiskey, 40% ABV, 750 ml. (style: corn whiskey)
• Aged Blue Corn Whiskey – 40% ABV, 750 ml. Aged in blue corn casks with a buttery finish; notes of a long and soft finish.
• Bloody Butcher – Corn whiskey, 60.8% ABV (120+ proof), 750 ml. A powerful entry with a spicy mid-palate and warm finish.
• Bloody Dapper – A wheated bourbon made from Bloody Butcher red corn; 50% ABV, 750 ml. Smooth start with a spicy mid-palate and warm finish.
• Bourbon Queen’s Reserve – 60.6% ABV, 750 ml. Details forthcoming; referred to as Queen’s Reserve within the bourbon lineup.
• Rubenesque – Bourbon, 50% ABV (100 proof), 750 ml. Full-bodied bourbon with blue corn and a delicate warmth.
• Brew Barrel – Bourbon (375 ml) – 45% ABV. Smooth bourbon, finished in Rubenesque casks that previously held beer bitters and influenced the flavor.
• Montgomery County – Whiskey, 41.5% ABV, 750 ml. Finish and mouthfeel typical for a wheated bourbon; bronze medals mentioned in related reviews.
• Ol Blue Corn Whiskey – Blue corn whiskey, 62% ABV, 750 ml. Variation with a rich flavor profile and longer finish.
• Twin Timbers – Whiskey, 45% ABV, 375 ml. Finishing in pecan cask gives nutty notes and a full body.

In addition, Wood Hat Spirits also produces a range of cordials and liqueurs that complement the whiskey lineup: - Tawny Berry Cordial – 20% ABV, 375 ml - Berry Berry Cordial – 20% ABV, 375 ml - Black Walnut Liqueur – 27.5% ABV, 375 ml - Persimmon Cordial – 20% ABV, 375 ml

Visits / Experiences

• Tasting Room / Tastings – Tastings are available during opening hours, and cost $5, with each tasting offering five spirit selections.
• Tours – Tours cost $10 and last about 30 minutes; tours and tastings are separate experiences. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended via the distillery's reservation line.
• Community events – The distillery participates in markets and festivals, such as the Farmers and Artisans Market (first Saturday of each month May through October), and hosts bottling-dinner events and special tastings on-site. They also regularly announce events via their website and social media.

Philosophy

• Field to Glass – Wood Hat describes itself as a field-to-glass experience, where the story and craft around the grain and distillation are integrated into product development.
• Changing the Corn – A central tenet is changing grain choices as the starting point for innovation in their processes.
• Green Operations – The FAQ page focuses on the company’s green approach, including carbon-neutral operations and the use of by-products and natural resources to minimize environmental impact.

Status and Availability

• Wood Hat Spirits is active with production and visits in New Florence, MO, and the company regularly announces events and releases. Their online shop is limited to selected products and shipping from out-of-state facilities, and they note specific geographic restrictions for shipping.