This weeks show I’ll be talking to Gary Hinegardner, founder of Wood Hat Spirits in Missouri.
The company produces bourbon, corn whiskey and a short list of cordials. Everything that goes into making Wood Hat Spirits comes from Missouri, from the corn to the barrels for aging.
Located in New Florence, Missouri, Wood Hat Spirits is a craft “field-to-glass” distillery renowned for its focus on heirloom corn varieties and environmentally-friendly distillation. Founded by Gary Hinegardner, the operation is famous for being one of the only wood-fired distilleries in the United States, utilizing scrap wood from a local barrel stave mill for heat.
Wood Hat distinguishes itself through several unique elements:
- Heirloom Corn: Instead of standard yellow commodity corn, Hinegardner (a former agronomist) grows and sources unique varieties like Hopi blue corn, Bloody Butcher red corn, and their proprietary Orange #8.
- The “Green” Process: The distillery relies on an oil-transfer, wood-fired boiler, and geothermal/ambient cooling, producing a notably small carbon footprint.
- The Wood Hats: True to its name, Hinegardner—a skilled woodturner—whittles and carves realistic, paper-thin wood hats on a lathe, which are worn by him and displayed in the tasting room.
- Location: You can find the distillery at 489 Booneslick Road, New Florence, MO, just off Interstate 70 (Exit 175).
Good Life Guy’s Wine Spirits of the week:
I’ll be tasting some of Gary’s,and his Master Distiller, Ryan’s fine handy work!
