Mayor Pingree Red Label Bourbon Whiskey Batch Series Bosco Receives 91 Points from Whisky Advocate

Ferndale, MI— Valentine Distilling Co. has received 91 points from Whisky Advocate, Winter 2023 issue, for its Mayor Pingree Red Label Bourbon Whiskey Batch Series Bosco. 

According to the Whisky Advocate notes, “With apple turnovers, pecan pie and sweet corn on the nose, this whiskey is a perfect fall sipper.”

Bosco was released into the Mayor Pingree Red Label Batch Series in late summer 2023 with a barrel composition of 52% 6-year and 48% 5-year at a retail price of $50. Following the release of Alina, which debuted in mid-summer 2023, Bosco was created to highlight the time dedicated to each batch of Mayor Pingree Bourbon – narrowing down hundreds of  barrels to make the final selection  for each batch. 

“Beyond the autumnal notes, this limited edition is rich and chocolaty, with hints of cigar box and honey. On the palate, sweet and spicy flavors spar, with blueberry pierogies, pepper, and cream soda all standing on their own. The finish returns to fall with apple cider, cinnamon spice, and a sweet nuttiness,” SE, Whisky Advocate. 

Mayor Pingree Bourbon Whiskey by Valentine Distilling Co. truly makes a strong, brand name for itself as a quality product at an affordable price as it scores in the 90 point range against other bottles that soar to nearly $300. Further proving the legacy in which it represents, Hazen S. Pingree, mayor of Detroit (1890-1897), Pingree was considered one of the greatest mayors in United States history, serving as a champion for Detroiters and standing against monopolies and corruption.

With an undeniably excellent reputation, you won’t regret adding the award-winning Mayor Pingree Red Label Bourbon Whiskey Batch Series bottles to your whiskey collection. With the announcement of this amazing rating, we are letting you in a little secret, the next bottle in the Mayor Pingree Red Label Bourbon Whiskey Batch Series will be available in Spring 2024 at $50 per bottle. We’ll save the specific details to share with you for release day, but trust us; this is one you won’t want to miss, so make sure you go find it upon its release.

Pick up your favorite Valentine Distilling Co. spirits at Kroger, Meijer, Sam’s Club, Costco, and Plum Market in Michigan and Binny’s in Illinois.

For a complete list of Valentine Distilling Co. awards and recognition visit this page.

Media Features

The Metro Times, March 2021:
Valentine Distilling Going Green
Read Here

Authority Magazine, September 2020:
Social Impact Heroes Helping The Planet: Why and How Rifino Valentine of Valentine Distilling Co Decided To Change Our World
Read Here

Click On Detroit, March 2020:
Michigan brewery, distillery team up to make hand sanitizer amid coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Read Here

The Detroit News, April 2019:
Ferndale-based Valentine Distilling Co. commits $500K to sustainability
Read Here

BEVNET, May 2018:
Valentine Distilling Co. Releases New Valentine Vodka Bottle
Read Here

The Detroit News, March 2018:
Imported still will allow Valentine spirits to grow
Read Here

Crain’s Detroit, February 2018:
Valentine Distilling expands with purchase of custom-built Italian still
Read Here

VinePair.com, February 2017:
Detroit Vodka Voted Better Than Russian, Makes Lenin Cry
Read Here

The Detroit Free Press, November 2016:
Ferndale distillery touts 'World's Best Vodka' in TV ad
Read Here

The Detroit News, July 2016:
Valentine Distilling bourbon gets new name
Read Here

Hour Detroit, July 2013:
Spirited Competition: Valentine Distilling still challenging upscale vodka imports
Read Here

Valentine & Griffin Claw Brewing Join Forces to Produce Hand Sanitizer

Michigan-based Valentine Distilling Co. and Griffin Claw Brewing Company Join Forces to Help Fill Hand Sanitizer Supply Chain, Manufacturing Gap in the U.S.

Ferndale, MI — Michiganders are known for our grit, toughness, and dedication to persevering. This is not the first time the nation has turned to Detroit to keep the momentum going. When Detroit was dubbed the Arsenal of Democracy during World War II, the manufacturing mecca in Michigan turned its attention from motorizing our citizenry to motorizing our military. Now, America has once again fired off a distress signal.

The latest fight that we’re gearing up for is unlike anything we’ve ever seen: COVID-19. Griffin Claw Brewing Company began its initiative to self-produce hand sanitizer earlier this week, as the need for the product became critical both locally and nationally. But to meet demand, the two Michigan-based spirits producers, Griffin Claw Brewing Company and Valentine Distilling Co., have teamed up to manufacture scaled quantities of hand sanitizer.

“Griffin Claw has orders rolling in for sanitizer product,” said Rifino Valentine, Founder of Valentine Distilling Co. “We figured we would help supply them with alcohol to continue and increase production of the product.”

Michigan officials announced Thursday that licensed distilleries in the state are now permitted to produce ethanol-based hand sanitizers in order to help meet demand of the products. Distillers will be permitted to do so without the usual required permit through June 30. This could be extended if necessary.

Also, recently, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau relaxed regulations to allow beverage distillers to make denatured alcohol. The production is not normally permitted unless a distillery has an industrial manufacturing permit.

Distillers may manufacture sanitizer products that are comprised of denatured or undenatured ethanol, glycerol (not less than 1.45 percent of the finished hand sanitizer product on a volume basis) and hydrogen peroxide (not less than 0.125 percent of the finished hand sanitizer product on a volume basis.)

Valentine Distilling Co. sources its products for its internationally known “World’s Best” vodka and other award-winning spirits locally. Making the hand sanitizer is no different as this partnership brings together two Michigan businesses supporting health organizations and communities for the greater good.

Just last year, Valentine Distilling Co. announced a $500,000 sustainability initiative, “to do the right thing,” said Valentine. The operational pivot to help support our Michigan community and country through the current COVID-19 crisis aligns with that initiative by supporting the continuation and sustaining manufacturing in the U.S. While many small businesses close their doors amid COVID-19, Valentine Distilling Co. and Griffin Claw Brewing Company are making quick decisions to adapt to the current environment and choosing to keep manufacturing at the forefront to keep workers working.

“From my perspective, this is simply an investment to do the right thing,” commented Valentine.

“So far, Griffin Claw Brewing Company has bottled 3,000 2-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer with plans to bottle 5,000 more in the coming days,” said Christopher Lasher, marketing director for the brewer. "We have a staff that's more than willing to work around the clock to get this done.”

In addition to the 2-ounce spray bottles, Griffin Claw has been filling bulk containers for the State of Michigan Emergency Operations Center who will distribute the product throughout the state to first responders and medical personnel. They’ve also helped out locally with the Birmingham Police and Fire Departments along with the Detroit Police Department and local food banks.

“We’ve received such an influx of requests since we started, from government to nursing homes and hospitals, everybody’s in need, so that’s where we joined forces with our friends over at Valentine to really ramp up production,” said Lasher.

Together, the two distilleries hope to be able to help alleviate the sanitizer shortages amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.

Valentine Distilling Co. has gone so far to voluntarily pause its spirits production to utilize its manufacturing facility to make the base required to produce the sanitizer. Valentine’s goal is to produce scalable quantities of the product to help medical professionals and those that need this product most amid the COVID-19 outbreak. But there is one main challenge facing these alcohol manufacturers: they are running out of materials to package the product.

On March 20, as part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s ongoing commitment to address the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the agency issued two guidance documents to communicate its policy for the temporary manufacture of certain alcohol-based hand sanitizer products. The guidance Temporary Policy for Preparation of Certain Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Products During the Public Health Emergency (COVID-19), is immediately in effect and outlines that the agency does not intend to take action against manufacturing firms that prepare alcohol-based hand sanitizers for consumer use and for use as health care personnel hand rubs during this ongoing public health emergency as described in the guidance.

In the tradition of Detroit’s manufacturing leadership, Michigan-based Valentine Distilling Co. is dedicated to American ingenuity and quality manufacturing as an American pioneer of small batch spirits. The company’s award-winning vodka, gin, and bourbon are available throughout in 12 states the United States and in six other countries.

About Valentine Distilling Co.   

Handcrafting world-class whiskey, gin, and vodka since 2007, Valentine Distilling Co. is an American pioneer of small batch spirits. Receiving international recognition, Valentine Vodka, won the World’s Best Vodka in 2016 and 2017 at the World Vodka Awards in London. Valentine Distilling Co.’s Liberator Gin has also received the “Best American Gin Distillery” at the Berlin International Spirits Competition. In summer 2019, Valentine’s Mayor Pingree Whiskey received 93 points and a Top 10 ranking from Whisky Advocate. In the tradition of Detroit’s manufacturing leadership, Valentine Distilling Co. is dedicated to American ingenuity, quality manufacturing, and small batch distilling using old-world techniques that create superior products.  

About Griffin Claw Brewing Co.   

Griffin Claw Brewing Company is a Michigan microbrewery and distillery established in 2013. Brewmaster Dan Rogers has been brewing professionally for 25 years, earning several Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup awards for the brewery. Through beer, anything is possible.  For more information visit griffinclawbrewingcompany.com.

Valentine Distilling Co. Commits $500,000 for 10-Year Climate Sustainability Initiative

Ferndale, MI – Distilling. It’s a process. A process that is energy intensive, creates waste, and utilizes gallons upon gallons of water throughout the manufacturing production. Valentine Distilling Co. is one of the largest craft distilleries in the U.S. today. And since they were a pioneer in the distilling industry, it’s only appropriate that they take on the mission to have a positive impact on the environmental and resource changes happening in our world today. Valentine Distilling Co. has committed to a 10-year climate sustainability initiative that is rolling out already in 2019.

It is estimated that craft distilleries, on average, use at least 500 gallons of water per day. Times that number by the 1,800 craft distilleries in the U.S., that is nearly 1 million gallons of water per day being utilized, and the majority is process water that is being wasted.

“We have a goal to be a part of the solution, not a contributor to the problem,” states Rifino Valentine, Founder & President of Valentine Distilling Co. “We created this initiative because it’s the right thing to do. We want to inspire other businesses to join in this very important movement. This is an investment, not a cost-savings or tax-break for us. We are hopeful that in the near future that we will receive some government leadership in the area of climate sustainability to help us go even further.”

You may have heard of farm to table, but have you heard of farm to bottle to farm? This is exactly how Valentine Distilling Co. recycles the grains they use, from their all-grain distillery, in their distillation process. First, they purchase the grains from Midwestern farmers. Then, they process the grains during production. While the grain goes through the distillation process, the starches are removed leaving them protein rich when the process is complete. After production, the grains are then returned back to the farmers for cattle feed.

Valentine Distilling Co. is proud to call Michigan, the Great Lakes state, its home. And because it is the Great Lakes state, water is near and dear to Valentine. As part of this initiative, a newly purchased piece of equipment will recapture 95-98% of water lost during the distillation process by the distillery, which is equivalent to approximately 2,000 gallons of water per day for the distillery’s size. With much of Valentine’s water source coming from the Great Lakes, it is crucial to be respectful of its usage in order to preserve this natural resource.

Throughout the manufacturing of spirits, heating and cooling elements are used on a regular basis as separate systems. Valentine is coming up with ways to integrate these systems through heat transfer solutions.

Another inspiration towards implementing a long-term sustainability initiative came from Valentine’s cocktail lounge neighbor, MBrew. MBrew plants a palm tree every summer in their front yard and then relocates it during the Michigan winter. This past winter, in an effort to maximize their carbon offset, they placed the palm tree in their production facility.  The facility has 45-foot tall ceilings with natural light coming in creating a livable and successful environment for the tree. Palm trees are one way to absorb the 30-40 pounds per year of carbon dioxide that is created during the distillation process.

“The palm tree is symbolic of our efforts and serves as an everyday reminder to what is important in Valentine’s role towards climate sustainability,” said Valentine. “Taking respectable steps towards preservation of our natural resources, will ensure a better, more sustainable tomorrow for future generations, and that is part of our responsibility.”

The little things make an impact too, such as recycling cardboard and glass, using paper straws in the cocktail lounge, and only serving them when customers ask for one.

Throughout this initiative, Valentine will work to implement wind and solar-powered solutions to help power the production facility, with the eventual goal of becoming carbon neutral. Currently, they are installing energy-efficient lighting and boiler controls.  

Valentine’s 10-Year Climate Sustainability Initiative projects 4.75 million gallons of water saved over the 10-year period. Valentine plans to invest approximately $500,000 in this initiative over 10 years. However, the 10-Year Climate Sustainability Initiative is focused on investing in climate sustainability, not the cost. This is an initiative to save the precious resources available to our world today.  

Half-Off Cocktails to Federal Workers During Shutdown

Valentine Distilling Co.’s Ferndale Cocktail Lounge Announces Half-Off Cocktails to Federal Workers During Government Shutdown

Ferndale, MI – Rifino Valentine has a passion for aviation. As a pilot himself, he appreciates the labor of air traffic controllers, TSA workers, and the many more positions within government agencies that keep air travel safe. In fact, Valentine’s Liberator Gin and Liberator Old Tom Gin are named after the B-24 Liberator heavy bomber, which was a well-known aircraft used during World War II.

“I belong to a local flying club and take many short trips, usually with my wife, for fun.  On most of these trips, I’m talking to our local Detroit Approach controllers.  They do a tremendous job of keeping us safe from other traffic and advisories along our route.   They are professional and very helpful.  To think that they are still doing their very important job and not getting paid, I thought that this was the least we can do,” said Rifino Valentine, Founder, Valentine Distilling Co.  

Valentine Distilling Co.’s Cocktail Lounge located in Ferndale is offering half-off cocktails to federal workers every day, through the government shutdown, to those who present their federal ID. The Cocktail Lounge is located at 161 Vester Street in Ferndale. Hours of operation can be found at valentinedistilling.com.

The Beverage Testing Institute awarded Valentine Distilling Co. a Gold Medal for its Liberator Gin during the 2015 International Review of Spirits. And in 2018, Valentine Distilling Co.’s Liberator Old Tom Gin won a Double-Gold medal at the world’s largest gin tasting competition from The Fifty Best. Barrel-aged for two years, Liberator Old Tom Gin is a respectable gin featuring flavors of juniper berries and pine with a touch of vanilla, citrus, cardamom, and cinnamon. Liberator Old Tom Gin has also earned the title of ‘Best Cask Gin in the World’ from the World Gin Awards. It also has received a Gold Medal from the International Craft Spirit Awards. 

Valentine Wins "World's Best Vodka" Two Years Running

Ferndale, MI–The judging for the World Drinks Awards 2017 has taken place, and the results are in. Valentine Distilling Co. has done it again! Valentine Vodka has been named “World’s Best” for the second year in a row. In 2016, Valentine took home the awards for “World’s Best Vodka” and “World’s Best Varietal” in the vodka category. This year, Valentine brings home the “World’s Best Varietal” vodka award for the second time.

“To win World’s Best Varietal two years in a row is an amazing feat,” said Rifino Valentine, Founder and President, Valentine Distilling Co.

The varietal category is defined as “Vodka intended to be consumed neat or in cocktails whereby a little character determined by the base ingredient is acceptable, desirable even. A pure, clear and clean vodka, but not necessarily totally neutral.”

The tasting note for Valentine Vodka reads as follows: “Bright, lifted aromas, clean and a touch leafy. Classical style, with a mouthwatering liveliness to the mid-palate, and good, balanced length.”

“While we didn’t win the overall best category this year like we did last year, we ended up losing to a distillery in the Ukraine that started making vodka in 1872. As far as I can tell, it’s not a product currently available in the U.S., so that’s good company to keep,” shared Valentine.

The final results for all spirit categories and styles were announced by World Drinks Awards 2017 Chair Felicity Murray, editor and founder of TheDrinksResport.com, at the Whiskies & Spirits Conference during the World Drinks Awards on March 30 at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel in London. During the awards, each product is judged according to style and country. The full list of this year’s World Drinks Awards winners can be viewed here.

Valentine Invests in Custom Italian Still to Expand Production Capacity

Liquor Brand Focused on American Ingenuity and Quality Manufacturing Hosts Ribbon Cutting & Open House on March 22 to Celebrate Announcement

Ferndale, MI – It’s time to mix up a cocktail and offer a toast to one of the country’s first micro-distilleries, Valentine Distilling Co. The 10-year milestone has been completed by Valentine and to celebrate the local distiller is investing $1 million in its production operation to fulfill customer demand.

Founded by Rifino Valentine, Valentine Distilling Co. has seen exponential growth since opening its doors more than 10 years ago. With a constant demand for the ever-growing list of award-winning spirits, an expansion of the production facility has become a necessity. The investment to make such an expansion happen: $1 million.

The expansion begins with the introduction of Sherbert. No, not the sweet treat. A new custom-made, 1,500-gallon still imported from Italian distillation company, Frilli. Named after Valentine Distilling Co.’s resident distillery dog, this still will have the capacity to produce 1,000 barrels of whiskey each year for the award-winning micro-distillery.

“We wanted to build the best still to maintain the quality of our products. Frilli has been building distillation equipment since 1912 and has a phenomenal track record and experience in triple pot distillation, and that’s just what we need to keep up with the demand of Valentine spirits,” said Rifino Valentine, founder and owner of Valentine Distilling Co.

This is the first still Frilli has ever shipped to America, and Sherbert is one of the largest stills being placed in a micro-distillery in the United States.

“We are honored to build this still for Valentine. We are excited to ship to the U.S. for the first time. The creation of this still will allow Valentine to continue to produce even more of their exceptional products,” said Frilli representative Simone Martini.

The whiskey being distilled with Sherbert will be ready to bottle in 2023. So, although the whiskey connoisseurs out there won’t be able to taste this whiskey today, the wait is sure to be worth it.

In 2016, Valentine Distilling Co.’s production relocated and expanded from the Cocktail Lounge location in Ferndale to a 15,000-square foot warehouse down the street from the Lounge. The warehouse is lined with state-of-the-art copper stills and whiskey barrels from floor to ceiling. Since beginning this custom still build with Frilli, Valentine also made the decision to expand once again in the current warehouse facility to add an additional 5,000 square feet for a rick house to store the aging barrels once the product leaves the still.

Highest Honors for Small Batch Bourbons in National Blind Taste Test

Valentine Distilling Co. Repeats Highest Honors for Small Batch Bourbons in National Blind Taste Test 

Ferndale, MI – If Valentine Distilling Co. is known for one thing, its world-class, high-quality spirits. The Ferndale-based company’s Mayor Pingree ‘Black Label’ Limited Edition Straight Bourbon received among the highest rankings in the North American Whiskey Review this month.

Tastings, host of the North American Whiskey Review, awarded the Mayor Pingree Bourbon Whiskey as an exceptional, Gold Medal winning spirit. With a score of 94 Points out of 100, Valentine’s bourbon was the only Michigan distillery to rank, also beating out other well-recognized brand names such as Jim Beam and Knob Creek while coming in just behind a special release from Wild Turkey.

The blind taste test takes place in a tasting lab in Chicago to ensure consistency and accuracy. According to Tastings, “The room is specially designed to minimize external factors and maximize our panelists concentration.”

“My goal when marrying these releases is to emphasize the characteristics shared by all fine bourbons beyond just great flavor, aroma and color... qualities of mouthfeel, layering, and linger,” said Justin Aden, distiller and blender for Valentine Distilling Co.

“Products breaking the critical 90-point barrier are tasted twice without exception, virtually guaranteeing that they deserve the accolades,” according to Tastings. The Mayor Pingree bourbon whiskey came just one point shy of the overall top spot, but was noted as “A gorgeous and mature bourbon with a bazaar of exotic spices.”

“We are excited to receive this award from The North American Whiskey Review on the heels of our ‘Double Gold’ award from The San Francisco World Spirits Competition that further cements our recognition for the highest quality spirits across our entire product line,” said Rifino Valentine, owner and president of Valentine Distilling Company.

World's Best Vodka Commercial Announced

VALENTINE DISTILLING COMPANY REVEALS FIRST TELEVISION COMMERCIAL

Ferndale, MI – Just as its award-winning products are made in Detroit, so was Valentine Distilling Company’s first television commercial. The 30-second ad presents Valentine Vodka as the “World’s Best Vodka” to viewers.

Earlier this year, on March 17, The World’s Best Spirits 2016 were presented by Felicity Murray, editor and founder of TheDrinksResport.com, at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London. It was at this award’s presentation that Valentine Vodka was announced as winner of “World’s Best Vodka” by TheDrinksReport.com. The final tasting note for Valentine Vodka from the 2016 awards reads as follows: “Lots of complex flavor through the nose and palate — a wonderful example of multigrain vodka. Sweet, smooth and creamy on the tongue with a clean and supple finish.”

To celebrate this victory, Valentine Distilling Co. has been working the past few months with some very talented individuals who have one thing in common – they’re all Detroiters – to create a spirits advertisement to be remembered.

“Being able to create our first commercial locally to celebrate this milestone speaks to exactly what Valentine stands for – dedication to making quality products and showing the world that American craftsmanship and manufacturing exists today,” said Rifino Valentine, Founder & President of Valentine Distilling Co.

The commercial features a visit to Vladimir Lenin’s tomb in Moscow. When the “World’s Best Vodka” is announced a tear is shed by Lenin, Russian communist revolutionary and politician, as it is made clear the “World’s Best Vodka” comes from Detroit.

Writer Jon Stewart of Huntington Woods and art director Bill Whitney of Oxford teamed up to develop the idea for the commercial. Director Thomas Drew, known for his work for Cadillac, Michelin, the AdCouncil, USPS, and many more, was then added to the team to bring the commercial to life. The set for the commercial was built and the commercial shot at Drew’s studio in Royal Oak. Flynn Drew, Tom’s son, joined the team as Director of Photography for the commercial.

After weeks of casting for a good “dead Lenin lookalike,” Jeremy Verdusco happened to ride his bike down Stewart’s street. Verdusco was quickly flagged over and the awkward proposition was made: “You look like dead Lenin, how would you like to play him in a commercial for Valentine Vodka?” Verdusco, already a fan of Valentine spirits, was happy to join the crew. Verdusco, who was officially cast as Lenin in the commercial, also resides in Huntington Woods.

“He just happened to be an innocent pedestrian in the wrong place at the wrong time: the shoot required him to spend 10 hours in facial prosthetics and makeup,” remarked Stewart.

“It was a long day on set, but worth it for a product I believe in,” Verdusco said. “Southeast Michigan has a lot of talent, and it shows in Valentine’s products and in the crew that brought this commercial to life.”

Makeup and special effects artist Dan Phillips is a nationally-renown practitioner of his art. He has worked on a variety of high-profile productions including The Hobbit. Dan is also a Detroiter. Also on the production team is Kurt Kulas, agency producer, from Birmingham.

All post-production was completed in Detroit. Editing, visual effects, audio, and final assembly were executed at Ringside Creative in Oak Park, with artwork by Gecko Imaging in Royal Oak.