MACKINAC ISLAND, MI - Northern Michigan’s craft spirits scene will step into the spotlight later this month when Grand Hotel hosts its first-ever Grand Distillers Weekend featuring specialty pours from Iron Fish Distillery in Thompsonville.
As Michigan’s first farm distillery, Iron Fish’s growing collection of spirits and unique barrel-aged bourbon whiskeys have been creating a buzz in craft circles around the state and beyond. Grand Hotel’s bars have been among those pouring some of the distillery’s most popular products, including its Michigan Woodland Gin and its Bourbon Whiskey finished in maple syrup barrels.
The Grand Distillers Weekend was created to combine craft spirit tastings, the history behind these flavor profiles, and a four-course dinner specially designed to pair with each drink being offered to guests. Grand Hotel Resident Historian Bob Tagatz will also be on hand, and participants might even get to hear some of the island’s Prohibition-era secrets.
“At Grand Hotel, we are always looking for ways to collaborate with Michigan’s finest purveyors, making our latest partnership with Iron Fish Distillery of Thompsonville a natural fit,” said Norman Dillard, Grand Hotel’s vice president of food and beverage. “This winter, we hand-selected a signature barrel of Iron Fish Bourbon Whiskey finished in Mezcal barrels, which we will offer guests several custom cocktails throughout the hotel and restaurants.”
“In a few weeks we are looking forward to Grand Hotel’s first-ever Grand Distillers Weekend featuring a four-course tasting dinner, specially curated by Grand Hotel Executive Chef Michael Cerrie. It will be a great time for all and we are thankful for this new partnership.”
Iron Fish's Bourbon finished in local maple syrup barrels is a bestseller for the Thompsonville distillery. Photo provided by Iron Fish Distillery
As they planned the event, Dillard’s team worked with Iron Fish to hand-select a few of the barrel-finished bourbons from the more than 1,200 barrels that are aging in the distillery’s spirit collection.
The Grand Distillers Weekend is planned for Friday, May 21 to Sunday, May 23. Here’s a breakout of events:
Guests arriving Friday will be invited to a welcome reception featuring a specialty cocktail made from Iron Fish’s Bourbon Whiskey finished in Mezcal barrels.
On Saturday, guests will be treated to an interactive presentation by Tagatz, the hotel’s historian, and Richard and Sarah Anderson, Iron Fish co-owners.
Saturday evening, guests will be invited to dress up and savor a four-course tasting dinner paired with four unique Iron Fish spirits. The meal will be served in Grand Hotel’s Main Dining Room.
For more details on pricing and reservations, check Grand Hotel’s website here.
Richard Anderson, one of the four owners behind Iron Fish, said even though the distillery has only been in business since 2016, its team already has built up a pretty significant library of bourbons that are barrel-finished. Iron Fish has not yet released whiskey made from its home-grown grain - that’s coming soon, he says - but they’ve garnered praise for seeking out high-quality mature whiskey and using it as a base for its bourbons, sealing the liquid inside different types of barrels from around the world to create its unique flavors.
“We want to put our signature on it, before we put our label on it,” Anderson said.
“These barrel finishes have attracted attention from whiskey drinkers from across the state,” he said, adding that introducing these pours at a place with Grand Hotel’s cachet is a good fit.
“Grand Hotel’s customer base is kind of perfectly suited for being introduced to what really is typically done by a national or global distillery.”
Anderson is looking forward to the weekend’s tastings and special dinner. Talking to spirit lovers about the flavor profiles and the history behind what’s in the glass is right in his wheelhouse. Don’t be surprised if he brings up George Washington’s farm distillery.
“It should be a fun learning journey, and sampling some whiskey, bourbons and gin.”
The Grand Distillers Weekend package includes:
- Accommodations
- Welcome amenity upon check-in
- Friday evening Welcome Reception featuring a signature Iron Fish Distillery cocktail
- Saturday afternoon special presentation by Resident Historian Bob Tagatz, and Richard Anderson, co-owner of Iron Fish Distillery
- $40 per person credit for a picnic lunch from Grand Coffee & Provisions
- Saturday evening four-course tasting dinner presented by Iron Fish Distillery and Grand Hotel Chef, Michael Cerrie
- Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum
- Special discount on ferry tickets
- No tipping within Grand Hotel
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