KEEPING AMERICA ON TOP: WHOM YOU KNOW CELEBRATES AMERICAN STYLE INTELLIGENCE and EXCELLENCE WITH SILVERBACK DISTILLERY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA: STRANGE MONKEY GIN by Mover and Shaker Christine Riggelman is Recommended by Whom You Know!
Mover and Shaker Christine Riggleman has hit a triple!
Previously on Whom You Know, she has earned accolades for:
Blackback Rye Whiskey "Lucky 13":
Blackback White:
The best way to start your weekend on a lazy Friday July afternoon is with
Strange Monkey Gin from the Silverback Distillery! It was painstakingly crafted to both attract non-traditional gin enthusiasts and classic gin enthusiasts alike (see Christine's interview for more on that.) Though she still like the whiskey the best and is sitting on the edge of her seat for the Irish version by Christine, Peachy Deegan was impressed with Strange Monkey Gin. Some of her experts share their opinion:
Strange Monkey Gin from the Silverback Distillery is fit for any speakeasy flapper. Whether your favorite cocktail be complicated, sophisticated or basic gin and tonic, this smooth liquor will pour as fine a beverage as you've ever had. Reminisce with
F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Great Gatsby crowd (Peachy's favorite book, and the subject of her 11th grade term paper for Mover and Shaker Rennie McQuilkin). Indulge in any combination of bitters, simple syrup, lemon, and you can concoct your own favorite Jazz Age libation. I have high plans for the Fall/Winter choucroute recipes, French cottage-style (yes, you can use gin). Strange Monkey will cozy up to friends and family all summer long.
I was never the big gin drinker, until now. I really think I found a great tasting gin and a fantastic summer drink. The Strange Monkey Gin is actually a smooth drinking Gin. I added 1oz to 4oz of Sprite with a lime wedge on ice, it was actually a pretty refreshing drink, but I also tried it with 2oz to 4 oz. of tonic water and slices of Cucumber and that was a pretty awesome drink, I called it my Summer Bliss. Next I will try to make a great (Strange Monkey Gin) and vermouth martini.
Strange Monkey Gin exudes a very distinctive taste. It is created with Virginia's purest water in the distillation process. It sets Silverback Distillery apart from all others. It first intrigued me by the "Jungle" experience theme. Then it held my attention with the palatable pleasures of the 'taste'! Yes, like the adult male mandrill this STRANGE MONKEY GIN is 'coloured' to more than satisfy ones taste! Also, I agree: "STRANGE MONKEY GIN"...EVERYONE NEEDS A LITTLE STRANGE...NOW AND THEN! Thank you, Silverback Distillery for your dedication of time, effort and creativity in creating this marvelous alcoholic gin! Made in the U.S.A. helps support our country!
STRANGE MONKEY Gin is a
“London Dry” gin crafted on-site in Afton, Virginia, USA, using a two-stage
distillation process. By definition,
London Dry gins must be made from a neutral grain spirit (NGS), or Vodka. Silverback Distillery utilizes a 27’ continuous
column to create the initial, locally-sourced, 100% soft red winter wheat
vodka. This pure, and largely
unflavored, vodka is then transferred into the dedicated “Strange Monkey” pot
still, fitted with a gin basket in series above the 4-plate column fitted to
the top of the still.
Strange Monkey’s
Botanicals (juniper, coriander, anise, lemon peel, sweet orange peel, bitter
orange peel and almond) are then loaded into the gin basket in predetermined
quantities based on months of initial R&D by the lead distiller, Christine
Riggleman. The pot still is then heated
using directed steam. Once the still
temperatures equalize above 173 degrees, the vodka “steam” is distilled again
through the 4-plate column and is injected into the gin basket. The steam is infused and flavored by the
botanicals. The gin “steam” leaves the
top of the gin basket at approximately 180 degrees, where it follows a “lyne”
arm in to a condenser, chilled to 48 degrees.
Once the steam enters the condenser, it immediately turns into liquid
high-proof gin (160-170 proof). This
high-proof gin is routed through a stainless pipe into a holding tank. Once there, the gin is “proofed down” by
adding water filtered through reverse osmosis (RO). Silverback Distillery’s water is pristine,
pulled straight from a well drilled through rock adjacent to the distillery.
The process of using locally-sourced grains, pristine water,
multiple distillations, fresh botanicals and advanced filtration creates the
finest quality spirit for consumption. Strange Monkey Gin consistently achieves the
sweet and flavorful character of wonderful botanicals, winter wheat and perfect
water. Strange Monkey is smooth,
balanced and citrus forward, unlike many juniper forward gins; truly a very
Strange Monkey. Its multiple
international awards attest to the fact that a craft distillery’s products can
surpass those mass produced by multi-national companies.
Honors include Double Gold Medal, 2015 San Francisco World
Spirits Competition; Silver Medal, 2016 San Francisco World Spirits
Competition; Bronze Medal, 2015 New York World Spirits Competition and Bronze
Medal, 2016 SIP Awards.
Silverback is owned by Christine and Denver Riggleman, and Denver’s nickname is “Silverback.” The Rigglemans have three daughters, and Denver claims they were the primary cause of his early gray hair. Once the name was decided upon, all of the spirit products produced by Silverback distillery will be named after simians or evoke the spirit of the Silverback name. Silverback’s Vodka, Gin, Bourbon and whiskies embody the best characteristics of a Silverback Gorilla and the troop--Strong, Persistent, Unafraid and Unstoppable. Rule Your Nest. Be An Alpha.
