MB Roland Distillery
After meeting our friendly and knowledgeable tour guide Mike, the tour began on the front porch with a brief history of the MB Roland Distillery. Next was a short walk to see the distilling equipment. On the way we passed the old tobacco shed, where the corn for the Dark Fired Whiskey and Bourbon is smoked. The distillery equipment layout is fairly spartan, but quite functional. The mash tun sits in the center of the left side of the room. It is an interesting setup, because every time the mash temperate is changed, it must be pumped out of the mash tun, into a separate area for cooling, and then pumped back into the mash tun. No built in heating or cooling units here. Distillation is accomplished using two separate Trident Stills pot stills. The philosophy here is a little different than elsewhere. All the whiskey is distilled to a fairly low proof, and is placed in the barrel at the proof at which it comes off the still. After aging, the whiskey is bottled at “barrel proof” (the proof at which it comes out of the barrel). The spirit is not diluted with water at any point after leaving the still. The final strength of the whiskey ranges from 105-120 proof.
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Please note that due to COVID Distillery Hours and Tour/Tasting Availability may vary. Please contact the distillery or check their web page or social media for details before you go.
| Days of operation | Open For Tours, Tastings & Product Sales: MON – THU – 10AM – 6PM FRI & SAT – 9AM – 6PM (First tour at 10AM) SUN – 1PM – 6PM Tours are offered every hour on the hour. MAR – OCT the last tour of the day is given at 5pm except at 4pm on “Pickin’ On The Porch” Saturdays during the summer months. NOV – FEB the last tour of the day is at 4pm. |
| Paved Drive / Lot | No |
| Motorcycle Parking | No |
| Motorcycle unfriendly features | Long gravel driveway and gravel parking lot |
| Number of tours per day | Hourly, 7+ |
| Length of Tour(s) | 30-40 minutes |
| Advanced topic tours? | Yes. Select dates, by appointment only, 4 person minimum |
| Advanced topic tour names | Distiller’s Tour |
| Tours by owners /distillers available? | Yes - Distiller’s Tour |
| Number of different types of tours | 2 |
| On-Line Tour Reservations Available | No |
| Advanced Reservations Recommended/Required | Not required for regular tour. Required for Distiller’s tour |
| Cost for tour(s) in $ | $5 with shot glass $12 with larger tasting glass Distiller’s Tour - $30 |
| Tasting Included? | Free tasting with or without tour |
| Number of samples included in tasting | 7 |
| Tasting Only Option? | Yes |
| Tasting Only Option Cost | Free |
| High-end tasting option? | No |
| High-end tasting option cost? | N/A |
| Designated Driver Option | No |
| Handicapped Accessible? | There are a few stairs. Rickhouse is up a grass hill. |
| Souvenirs included with tour? | Shot glass or Tasting Glass |
| Gift shop | Yes |
| On-Site bottle sales? | Yes |
| On-site food: Restaurant/Cafe/Snacks | No |
| On-site Cocktail bar | No |
| On-site event space | Yes |
| Should I visit? (Yes, Perhaps, No) | Yes |
| Unique Features | The distillery is in a beautiful rustic location, on what was an Amish farm. Corn for the Dark Fired Whiskey and Bourbon is smoked in an old tobacco shed on-site. All whiskeys are barreled at the proof at which they come off the still, and are bottled at barrel strength. Whiskey is distilled using two pot stills. |
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| Date Visited | May 2019 |
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