Little Round Still
About the Distillery
Little Round Still is an American microdistillery with a cocktail- and tasting-room presence in Alexandria, Minnesota. The company combines barrel-building craftsmanship with small-batch distillation of rye, bourbon, rum, and potato vodka. Reopened in 2026 at a new space in Alexandria, the distillery features both core releases and experimental single-barrel and finish projects.
History
The concept of Little Round Still began with barrel-building: staves cut from white oak and assembled barrels formed the foundation for filling the casks with spirits. The distillery was established in 2019 in Wadena by their father and a friend. In the years that followed, the company developed a portfolio of small-batch releases within vodka, rum and whiskey. In 2026, the sibling duo Michael and Melissa took over operations and reimagined the distillery in their hometown of Alexandria, where they opened a new space and a new cocktail room. The reopening marks a clear focus on the tasting room experience and further development of the house’s cask- and finish-experiments.
Raw Materials and Production
Little Round Still operates in a small-batch format. The distillates range from 100% potato vodkas to rum distilled from light brown cane sugar and molasses, as well as a range of whiskey and bourbon expressions. Boathouse Bourbon is, for example, a blend of two four-year-old whiskeys (one 100% corn, one 93% corn/7% wheat). The Barrel Select series uses different mash bills and reused barrels, and the company also uses proprietary oak infusion staves. There is a focus on handcrafted Minnesota oak barrels, single-barrel selections, and experimental finishes in exotic woods.
Maturation and Barrel Types
Barrel work is central: the distillery draws on barrel-building experience and uses handcrafted Minnesota oak barrels in many releases. They also work with reused barrels that previously held everything from bourbon to stout to add complexity. Some releases receive finishes in special wood types, such as Andean oak and Japanese Mizunara, and the rum gets an extra sweet-smoked character through infusion of toasted and charred mini-staves.
Whiskies
The portfolio includes both core bourbon and rye expressions and experimental single-barrel and finish releases. The core includes Boathouse Bourbon and a Barrel Select line with single-barrel picks. On the rye side, there are several aged versions, including an 8-year rye with Andean finish and a 9-year Mizunara finish, as well as the limited 10-year Runekeeper Single Barrel. In addition to whiskey, the distillery produces rum and a range of flavored vodkas and liqueurs used directly in the cocktail room's menus.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Alcohol | Age | Barrel and Style | Tasting Notes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-Year Rye finished in Andean Oak | Rye | 53.5 % | 8 Years | Andean oak barrels | 8-year rye finished in Andean oak barrels. Highlights spicy notes, floral undertones, and fruitiness from orchard apple/stone fruit; marketed as cask strength in the product text. | Current; Core range; Sold via the distillery's webshop |
| Barrel Select Rye | Rye | Handcrafted Minnesota oak barrels (single-barrel picks) | Small-batch, single-barrel rye where each release is a unique pick. The barrel's oak is handcrafted from Minnesota oak and contributes vanilla, caramel, and a touch of spice according to the product text. | Current; Core range; Sold as single-barrel picks from the distillery | ||
| Barrel Select Whiskey | American whiskey | Recycled barrels previously holding various spirits | A series that works with different mash bills and recycled barrels to create complex, unique expressions. The product also uses a proprietary oak-infusion stave for extra wood character. | Current; Core range; Sold via the distillery's selection | ||
| Barrel Select Bourbon | Bourbon | Handcrafted Minnesota oak barrels (single-barrel picks) | Small-batch single-barrel bourbon that uses locally handcrafted Minnesota oak barrels. The notes highlight vanilla, caramel, and a touch of spice as character-defining elements. | Current; Core range; Single-barrel releases via the distillery | ||
| Gunflint Whiskey | American whiskey (blend) | 40 % | Charred oak influence (oak character) | Blended American whiskey at 80 proof (40% ABV) consisting of Boathouse Bourbon and a lightly aged neutral grain spirit. Described as a versatile, lighter-bodied whiskey with charred-oak richness and a lightly smoked finish. | Current; Core range; Sold via the distillery's webshop | |
| Runekeeper Rye – Batch 1 Commemorative Single Barrel | Rye | 62.5 % | 10 Years | Single barrel (previously unspecified barrel type) | 10-year single-barrel rye at cask strength, 125 proof (62.5% ABV). Limited to 162 numbered bottles and sold as a commemorative release in conjunction with the reopening of the Alexandria distillery. | Limited; Limited edition; pickup at the distillery — cannot be shipped; 162 bottles |
| Boathouse Bourbon (4 Year blend) | Bourbon (blend) | 46.5 % | 4 Years | Best-seller Boathouse Bourbon is a blend of two 4-year-old whiskeys — one 100% corn and one with 93% corn/7% wheat — and described with notes of caramel, vanilla and a warm, smoky finish. In a gift set it is described as 93 proof (46.5% ABV). | Current; Core range; Sold via the distillery's webshop | |
| 9-Year Rye finished in Japanese Mizunara Oak | Rye | 57.5 % | 9 Years | Japanese Mizunara oak | 9-year rye finished in Japanese Mizunara oak; in a gift set it's described as 115 proof (57.5% ABV). The product text highlights complexity with notes such as sandalwood and sweet tobacco. | Current; Available via gift set / selection |
Whiskies' Style and Flavor Profile
Overall, the whiskies are described along three throughlines: a spicy rye character that runs through many rye releases; sweetness interpreted as vanilla and caramel from the oak barrels in the bourbon and Barrel Select releases; and a smoky/charred wood note in some products and blends. Additionally, floral and fruity undertones are noted in certain rye releases, and some expressions feature explicit notes such as apricot and stone fruit.
Visit the Distillery
The distillery runs a cocktail and tasting room in Alexandria with opening hours Tuesday–Thursday 4–10 pm and Friday–Saturday 1–10 pm. All cocktails on the menu are made exclusively with the house's own spirits, and the venue offers tasting experiences in connection with bar and tasting drinks. In connection with some releases there may be special pickup or soft-opening events, and limited bottles may require pickup.
The stated hours are Tuesday–Thursday 4:00–10:00 pm, Friday–Saturday 1:00–10:00 pm.
Philosophy and Craft
The company's values are rooted in craftsmanship: the customer experience, innovation, and respect for oak and time. The focus on barrel-building influences both the choice of casks and a focus on small batches as well as experimental techniques such as reuse barrels and oak-infusion staves. The distillery also emphasizes local wood utilization and a commitment to building experiences around their own spirits.
Sustainability
Use of reused barrels in the Barrel Select series as a way to reduce waste.