Whiskey Dinner with Paul Twyford - Winter Park Distilling Company
Fleming's Orlando off of Sand Lake RD is hosting an incredible Whiskey Dinner featuring whiskies from the Winter Park Distilling Company - with special guest speaker and master distiller Paul Twyford.
September 2nd at 6:30PM - call (407) 352-5706 for reservations
What an Entrance!
In preparation for the event I had the opportunity to tour the distillery and chat with Paul on some incredible projects they have in the pipeline.
There's an amazing artistic aesthetic from the moment you enter the distillery. Local artists' paintings line the walls of this former car repair shop turned "brewstillery".
Time to Taste
The distillery crafts several spirits including:
- Genius Vodka 80 Proof/40% ABV
- Dog Island Rum 80 Proof/40% ABV
- Dog Island Beer Barrel Aged Rum 80 Proof/40% ABV
- Bear Gully Classic “New Make” Whiskey 80 Proof/40% ABV
- Bear Gully Classic Reserve Single-Barrel Bourbon 107 Proof/53.5% ABV
- Bear Gully Classic Bonfire Bourbon 80 Proof/40 % ABV
While tasting them all (and let me tell you... they're amazing...) we focused on whiskey for our Whiskey Dinner. All their whiskies use Florida corn and they're the first to ever make Bourbon in Florida. Even their rum uses Florida sugar cane! It's as local as it gets.
The Bear Gully Classic "New Make" whiskey is a white unaged whiskey with pure clean flavors of sweet buttered popcorn. Smooth at room temperature - perfect when mixed in a craft cocktail.
The Bear Gully Classic Bonfire Bourbon is where Paul got creative to make a unique and incredible smoky whiskey. After distillation the whiskey is then allowed to soak on a bed of charred sugar maple, and then aged in american oak. The sugar maple adds incredible depth and subtle delicious smokiness that goes great with any grilled meat.
The Bear Gully Classic Reserve Single-Barrel Bourbon is exactly as it's name implies. Full strength, full flavor... it's a rock-star. While planning our whiskey dinner we had intended on doing craft cocktails for each course. For this Bourbon - we made an exception, planning to serve it straight up (or on one large cube if a guest prefers). Sip and savor is what we're thinking.
Then and Now
During the tour I had the chance to see the distillery's roots. Below you can see their very first still. Made by hand using improvised parts - this is where it all began. Now only a few years later... they have a custom state of the art still custom made!
Above is their new still, futuristic and would fit right in for any SciFi movie. Even as high tech as it is - every stage has to be carefully monitored and adjusted by the distiller or the batch could be ruined.
We're excited to announce the final menu for the Winter Park Distilling Company dinner. Check it out below:
September 2nd at 6:30PM - call (407) 352-5706 for reservations. Special Guest Speaker: Paul Twyford, co-founder and master distiller.
$75 per guest (not including tax & gratuity)
First Course
Pan Seared Scallop - over wasabi mashed potatoes, finished with pickled red onion and micro greens
Paired with: Mountain Battle Cocktail featuring BEAR GULLY CLASSIC – New Make Whiskey
Second Course
Cedar Smoked Pork Tenderloin - over smoked cheddar grits finished with slow roasted apple chutney
Paired with: Bonfire Old Fashioned featuring BEAR GULLY CLASSIC RESERVE – Bonfire Bourbon
Third Course
Hand Cut Filet Mignon with Morel - 8oz filet mignon topped with morel mushroom demiglace, served over shiitake mushroom risotto that’s finished with porcini butter sauce
Paired with: Sip and Savor – Guests may choose to enjoy this full strength single barrel bourbon served simply neat, or on one large ice cube.
BEAR GULLY CLASSIC RESERVE – Single Barrel Bourbon
Dessert
Single Barrel Bread Pudding
Served with Coffee or Tea