Glacial Lakes Distillery launched Whitecap Rum this week, bringing Watertown’s small batch distillery’s product line to three.

The company’s first spirit to enter the market was Glacial Lakes Vodka, made from locally grown wheat. Next was Wooden Boat Rum, distilled from pure, unrefined cane sugar and barrel aged. Following on the heels of these popular spirits is Whitecap Rum, a non-aged variety.

Phillip and Cindee Klein, who oversee their company’s products from hand-selecting the raw ingredients through bottling and labeling, feel there will be a market for their “white” rum as well. The idea came about, in fact, during a Wooden Boat Rum run.

“While getting the Wooden Boat Rum ready for aging, I noticed some pleasant aromas,” said Phillip Klein. “We tasted hints of banana and coconut and decided to cut it down to bottle strength and try it.”

After consulting with numerous taste-testers, they decided to go ahead. Brainstorming ensued for a name — and Whitecap Rum emerged as the winner.

Klein said Glacial Lakes Distillery’s Wooden Boat Rum receives its distinct amber color during the aging process by incorporating French oak spirals while the rum ages in the barrel. The Whitecap Rum remains clear — or “white.”

“The ingredients and almost the entire process are the same (as Wooden Boat Rum),” said Klein. “The difference is that the Whitecap Rum has not been aged on the toasted French oak spirals.”

While Klein feels there’s a market for the new rum year round, he feels that the summer months are the best time to introduce it.

“It’s the perfect ingredient for fruity, summer cocktails,” he said.

And while launching the latest product is exciting for the company, Klein says his favorite part about operating Glacial Lakes Distillery is the constant learning.

“Every day there is a new problem to solve or a new spirit to try and figure out how to make,” he said.

In fact, he’s already well on his way to refining his next one — gin. He’s been experimenting with a variety of botanicals to arrive at the optimal combination. Klein has also been dabbling with rye whiskey and has brandy aging for another year and a half before it can be released.

“I also enjoy talking about our spirits and the industry with everyone at a tasting or during tours of the distillery,” said Klein.

While they’ve been around for two years now, Klein said there are still local folks who are surprised that Watertown has a distillery. He said many of the distillery tour requests come from tourists who see the Glacial Lakes Distillery ads in the Watertown Now publication.

Tours need to be arranged “after work hours” or on weekends as the Kleins both have full time careers away from the distillery.

“We’re always happy to show people around and talk about our products,” he said.

Read More at source: The Public Opinion