History

Ann Arbor Distilling Company is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the website requires users to be 21 years of age or older to access. They describe themselves as high-quality craft spirit makers inspired by the community they live in. They want to be grain-to-glass, aged and handmade, and focus on creating spirits from scratch—from the grain and through the entire process to the glass. Location and contact are indicated by the address and phone number on the website.

Production / Manufacturing

They do not want industrially-based products and want to start from the grain and control the process all the way to the glass. Their philosophy is clear in the statement that a single sip shows the difference between craft and mass production. They claim that all of their award-winning spirits are made from ingredients sourced and found in Michigan, and that collaborating with Michigan farmers provides them with the best inputs for products that change how customers experience spirits.

Products

Whiskey Series

• Bourbon: Fox River Bourbon is a smooth and lightly sweet bourbon whiskey. Distilled from locally sourced Michigan grain, 80 proof.
• Rye: 100% rye whiskey, aged in new American oak barrels, which yields a sweeter profile.
• Michigan Whiskey: Fox River Michigan Whiskey – a blend of 4 Michigan grains filtered with cherrywood charcoal and handcrafted in Ann Arbor. Pure, barrel-aged Michigan whiskey that binds Michigan's soil, crops and water together in a bottle.

Other Products (Non-Whiskey)

• Arbor Gin: Summer, Spring, Autumn, and Winter variants with different flavor profiles and intended cocktails.
• Arbor Vodka: Wheat Vodka.
• Peppermint Schnapps.
• Spaulding’s Coffee Liqueur.
• Water Hill Fruit Liqueur: Blackberry and Cranberry.
• Absinthe: Water Hill Absinthe Violet, described as violet in color with notes of fennel, licorice and herbs.

Tasting Notes and Cocktail Suggestions

• Arbor Summer Gin: Tasting notes – Honeysuckle, Hyssop, Fresh-cut grass. Suggested cocktail: Summer Swizzle (1.5 oz Arbor Summer Gin, 1 oz fresh orange juice, 0.5 oz fresh lime juice, 4–6 oz pineapple soda, 2 dashes bitters).
• Arbor Spring Gin: Tasting notes – Mint, Cucumber, Moss, Chaga, Cherry Blossom. Suggested cocktail: Strawberry Gimlet.
• Arbor Winter Gin: Tasting notes – Juniper, Spruce, Peppermint, Cacao, Orange, Vanilla. Suggested cocktail: Greyhound.
• Arbor Fall Gin: Tasting notes – Cinnamon, Clove, Honey, Oakmoss, Dead Leaf, Squash/Pumpkin. Suggested cocktail: Autumn Old Fashioned.
• Wheat Vodka: Tasting notes – Hint of vanilla and wheat-milk notes. Suggested cocktail: Moscow Mule.
• Absinthe: Aromas of fennel, licorice and herbal notes.

Visits / Experiences

The site highlights Food Trucks, Pop Ups and Events and partnerships in SE Michigan, where guests can enjoy their grain-to-glass cocktails and possibly buy spirits with food. Current offerings include online ordering with curbside pickup and delivery within Michigan, as well as external distribution to other states via Woods Wholesale Wines. It also mentions, for example, the A2DC Holiday Artist’s Market and various food trucks on the schedule.

Philosophy

They describe an attitude against industrial distilling and prefer to produce spirits from scratch. They emphasize using ingredients sourced from Michigan and collaborating with Michigan farms to ensure the best inputs and an experience that changes how customers perceive spirits.