Overview: Sideshow Spirits, Lincoln’s only distillery, secured three gold medals at the North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition. The win marks the distillery’s first entry into a nationwide competition, highlighting its portfolio of over 30 house-made alcohols.
The Full Story
Sideshow Spirits entered its first nationwide competition at the North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition, taking home three gold medals. Managing Partner Cody Schmick noted that Lincoln is home to the state’s only distillery, a fact that underscores the significance of the win for the local industry.
The winning entries include ‘Sama’, an American Single Malt, and ‘Nebraska’, a bourbon made with 100% Nebraska corn. Schmick stated that customers do not need to travel to Kentucky to find great bourbon when they can purchase it right here in Nebraska.
The award-winning bottles are part of a larger portfolio of more than 30 house-made alcohols produced by Sideshow Spirits. Schmick emphasized that the distillery prioritizes making good products, acknowledging that whiskey is often considered more important than it should be in their production focus.
Production & Profile
The production process relies heavily on the local environment. Aging involves a four-year rack time where barrels remain at the distillery. For the ‘Sama’ bourbon, the spirit is aged three and a half years in a new barrel before moving into a port barrel, resulting in a deep red color and wine flavors.
Schmick explained that Nebraska weather plays a significant role in the aging process. When there are big degree swings of weather, sometimes 60 degree swings in a week, there is more action in the barrel which adds to the aging process.
What This Means
The awards send a clear message to customers regarding regional production capabilities. Schmick noted that when people see gold medals, they realize one does not need to travel to Kentucky to acquire a great bourbon. This achievement validates the quality of products made within Nebraska despite the state’s reputation for weather swings rather than traditional whiskey regions.
Consumer Takeaway
The three award-winning bottles are available as part of a portfolio of over 30 house-made alcohols produced by Sideshow Spirits. Consumers seeking specific profiles can look for the ‘Sama’ with its port barrel influence or the ‘Nebraska’ made from local corn.
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