Brother Justus Whiskey Company is likely not a name that immediately comes to mind when talking about American whiskey. Give it a few years. The Minneapolis-based craft distillery is producing some incredible, innovative American single malts (and collecting national and international accolades in the process).
Sitting just blocks from the mighty Mississippi, the distillery’s cavernous tasting room is stylish and modern with a clean Nordic feel, balanced by a well-stocked library and gas fireplace tucked away on the side to create a cozy, intimate ambiance — perfect for sipping whiskey with friends during a mid-January snowfall.
The main interior is shared with Brother Justus’ three pot stills and distilling equipment, which are illuminated at night with a blueish-purple hue, creating a beautiful backdrop for the tasting room. While the company currently ages on-premises, success and plans for growth have necessitated offsite aging to meet production demand.
In contrast to some distilleries with a three-guys-in-a-garage feel, everything about Brother Justus exudes confidence — they know they have a great product and know where they want to go. Brother Justus plans to ramp up production from 1500 30-gallon barrels in 2023 and recently started selling in Chicago.
What’s in a name? In the case of Brother Justus, quite a lot. The company’s name was inspired by a bootlegging Minnesota monk who helped local families learn how to produce moonshine during Prohibition. Brother William Trettle, aka Brother Justus, a Benedictine monk at St. John’s Abbey, worked with struggling grain farmers hard hit by Prohibition and the early days of the Great Depression to safely make moonshine. Trettle was a blacksmith, which put him in a unique position to craft functional distilling equipment. Those that he helped and taught how to moonshine were then asked to teach others.
Due in large part to Trettle’s efforts, throughout the 1920s, small farmers in Stearns County, MN cooked moonshine in barns and in forest stills to eke out an existence in the face of economic ruin. Stearns County moonshine soon gained national attention, and, for a brief period of time, Minnesota was a leading source of moonshine in the U.S. While some of the moonshine ended up being sold to the mob, most of it was sold through local distribution networks, putting more money directly into the pockets of the farmers. The knowledge and equipment that Trettle supplied helped get some rural Minnesota communities through the hardest of times. All this, however, ended in 1933 when Prohibition ended and the price of corn rebounded, and more traditional players in the U.S. whiskey industry resumed their place in the spotlight.
As underscored by the distillery’s name, the company leans into its local roots. However, Brother Justus doesn’t just pay lip service to its local ties; it is genuinely rooted in the wealth of Minnestota’s natural resources. Water comes from the Mississippi; oak for barrels is sourced from The Big Woods; barley comes from farms near Shakopee, MN; and peat is collected from Minnesota’s ancient bogs.
The distillery’s core lineup includes their American Whiskey (Single Malt), Cold Peated Whiskey (Peated American Single Malt), and Silver Whiskey (a white dog), in addition to several limited editions: Brigid’s First Batch, Founders Reserve, SMarch Select, Single Barrel Select, and Distillers Select.
The Cold Peated Whiskey was a highlight. This is not Lagavulin or Ardbeg (not even a distant cousin). The chemistry is totally different because the peat is infused with the whiskey at the end of the aging process, not introduced during kilning. There are no burning tires or smoldering campfire notes.
To accomplish this, Brother Justus created a Torv Rok granular peat product from drained peat bogs in Minnesota that could be “dipped like a teabag” into aging stocks of whiskey to create a unique flavor profile. Called the Aitkin County Process, the result is a distinct earthy palate.
Minnesota whiskies are coming into their own, with brands like Keeper’s Heart putting Minnesota on the map in the world of craft whiskey. Brother Justus is one to watch as they expand their footprint and secure more national distribution. The distilling staff isn’t afraid to take risks, and the business team seems to have a good idea of where the brand should go. With wins like the Cold Peated Whiskey under their belt, it will be exciting to see the distillery’s next move.
