History

Dancing Goat Distillery is a family story and a continuation of the Maas family's involvement in Wisconsin. According to the Founders' story, the family came to America in the late 1800s and ran a farm in northern Wisconsin. Over generations, there was a transition from farming and forestry to distilling. Father Tom Maas worked in the industry and helped build the project, and Dancing Goat Distillery was described as a gift from the father to honor his grandfather. A message from Nick Brady Maas describes the distillery as a new chapter in a tradition spanning three generations, and that the distillery is also part of education and community.

The origin of the name comes from a noisy goat that was encountered during a hunt on the property. The goat's curiosity and character became a symbol of the company's values and led to the name Dancing Goat.

Production / Manufacturing

Dancing Goat describes its approach as starting with sustainably grown grain from Wisconsin, milled at a nearby mill before it reaches the distillery. Emphasis is placed on the entire chain from soil to glass and on everything being made with love. The company also describes a strong commitment to education and to opening doors for students and visitors through experiences and programs.

Products / Whisky Series

One of the company's major initiatives is Dancing Goat Presents, where about 4,500 barrels of unique and older whiskey stock are showcased. The series consists of about 16 mash bills and age ranges from 6 to 21 years and focuses on blending and finishing with the aim of sharing its older distillates in a set of varied releases.

Examples of descriptions from the series include:

• Release 009 Swiss Misters: Rye-mash aged 10 years, finished in chocolate-coated casks; notes of chocolate and vanilla with a long cocoa finish.
• Release 008 I Would Rye 4 U: Rye-mash aged 9 years, finished in port casks; dry oak, red berries, spices and vinous caramel notes.
• Release 007 The Spaniard: Corn whiskey finished in Spanish oak; two-grain blend, notes of toasty oak, red berries and leather.
• Release 006 In Lieu Of Flowers: Blend of 16-year-old light whiskey and 6-month bourbon; high alcohol strength; light oak, caramel and nuts in the bouquet.
• Release 005 Tommy’s Malted Bangdog: A blend of 8-year-old bourbon and malt whiskey; malt character, chocolate, vanilla and caramel on the palate.
• Release 004 Maized & Confused: Corn whiskey finished in cherry-bitters casks; cinnamon, cherry and vanilla.
• Release 003 A Quirky & Humble Blend: Straight bourbon whiskey aged 7 years in Colombian oak; crème brûlée, vanilla, dried fruits.
• Release 001 Very Old Goat: Light whiskey aged 21 years; notes of oak, caramel and pepper.

Visit / Experiences

Dancing Goat emphasizes a culture of education and community and invites visitors to participate in experiences and book them through their site. They highlight that they not only produce, but also share knowledge and experience about whiskey-making.

Philosophy

The company describes itself as a celebration of life and the world around us. They value the hard work behind the grain harvest, the integrity of their supply chain and the partners that help them grow. They promise to respect both themselves and their customers and that everything is made with love. The name Dancing Goat is tied to the story of a noisy goat encountered during a hunt on the property and became a symbol of family values and the company's philosophy.