Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Long Road Distillers will release its eagerly awaited Long Road Straight Bourbon Whisky on Tuesday, April 10 at the distillery on the city’s West Side. Statewide distribution of the Bourbon will follow later in April.

Long Road Straight Bourbon Whisky is the oldest whisky released by the distillery to date. Straight whisky, by definition, must be aged at least two years in a new American Oak barrel that has been charred on the inside. Considering Long Road has only been in business for two and a half years, this Straight Bourbon Whisky was one of the first products distilled at the Grand Rapids distillery. The whisky’s mash bill consists of corn and wheat from Heffron Farms in Belding, Michigan and malted barley from Pilot Malt House in Byron Center, Michigan.

“We’re excited to finally release a Straight Bourbon into the world,” says Jon O’Connor, co-owner and co-founder of Long Road. “We’ve experimented with countless recipes and barrel profiles, and in the end, we feel like we took the time to get this one just right, without taking shortcuts.  Sourcing spirits from other distilleries is a fairly common practice in the industry, particularly with whisky. Our ‘take no shortcuts’ approach, paired with time honored distilling techniques and locally sourced ingredients has allowed us to create a world-class bourbon from scratch on Grand Rapids’ West Side.”

Long Road Straight Bourbon has been aged in 53 gallon, new American Oak barrels for over two years. It will be bottled at 93 proof, or 46.5 percent alcohol by volume.

In the month leading up to the release, Long Road will be posting educational blogs and informational tidbits on the significance of Bourbon to the beverage industry, what makes a whisky “straight”, and dispelling some common misconceptions related to one of America’s native spirits.

“As a local, craft distiller, we have a unique opportunity to connect with those who enjoy our spirits,” says Kyle VanStrien, co-owner and co-founder of Long Road Distillers. “We’re able to educate consumers on the process of crafting our spirits from start to finish, and what makes them so special.”