Leopold Bros. Michigan Cherry Whiskey 750ML

Leopold Bros. Michigan Cherry Whiskey 750ML is a 750ml, 40% ABV Colorado-made whiskey blended with tart Michigan Montmorency cherry juice. This expression revives a pre-Prohibition tradition of adding real fruit juice to whiskey during aging, drawing on one of America's most prized cherry varietals rather than artificial flavoring. Leopold Bros. earned American Distilling Institute Distillery of the Year honors in 2015, a recognition of the Denver distillery's commitment to historically informed, small-batch production.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 Proof)  |  Origin: Denver, Colorado, USA  |  Style: Cherry-Infused Sour Mash Whiskey  |  Distillery: Leopold Bros.

Production & Heritage

Leopold Bros. was founded by brothers Todd and Scott Leopold in Ann Arbor, Michigan, before relocating to Denver, Colorado, where they operate today. The Michigan Cherry Whiskey begins with their traditional sour mash whiskey, built on a corn and rye mashbill and twice distilled. The whiskey is then married with the juice of northern Michigan Montmorency cherries — a tart cherry variety celebrated for its concentrated flavor — and the blend rests in used bourbon barrels. This secondary maturation allows the cherry and whiskey to integrate while the barrel imparts additional notes of vanilla, marzipan, and spice. The approach mirrors how American distillers sweetened and flavored their whiskey before Prohibition, making this a historically rooted spirit rather than a modern flavored whiskey.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe, sweet pie-cherry followed by toffee and a subtle hint of toasted oak. There is warmth underneath, with light vanilla and marzipan emerging as the glass opens up.

Taste: The entry is tart cherry, bright and immediate, before transitioning to a richer mid-palate of cherry cream, brown sugar, and gentle rye spice. Oak structure builds gradually, giving the sweetness a firm backbone without turning tannic.

Finish: The finish is long and thorough, with lingering cherry fruit, warm spice, and a trace of barrel char. A pleasant balance of sweet and dry notes keeps the palate engaged well after the last sip.

How to Drink Michigan Cherry Whiskey

Neat or over a single large ice cube is the most direct way to appreciate the cherry-whiskey integration and barrel influence. A splash of water can open up the marzipan and vanilla undertones. Beyond that, this whiskey works well in several cocktails:

• Cherry Manhattan: The natural cherry character replaces the need for maraschino liqueur, producing a richer, more cohesive drink with sweet vermouth and bitters.
• Cherry Old Fashioned: Sub this for standard bourbon or rye; the fruit sweetness means you can reduce or skip simple syrup entirely.
• Whiskey Sour: The tart cherry backbone mirrors the citrus component, adding depth and a crimson color that elevates the classic template.

Best For

• Gifting a whiskey drinker who appreciates American distilling history
• After-dinner sipping alongside chocolate or fruit-based desserts
• Introducing someone to craft whiskey through an approachable, fruit-forward expression
• Building a home bar focused on artisan and small-batch American spirits

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Leopold Bros. Michigan Cherry Whiskey taste like? It leads with bright, tart cherry fruit that transitions into cream, toffee, and warm oak spice. The finish is long, balancing residual sweetness with dry barrel notes.

How does Michigan Cherry Whiskey compare to Bird Dog Black Cherry Whiskey? Leopold Bros. uses real Montmorency cherry juice married with sour mash whiskey and aged in used bourbon barrels, resulting in a more nuanced, barrel-influenced profile. Bird Dog Black Cherry is a flavored whiskey at a lower price point, typically offering a sweeter, more straightforward cherry character.

Is Michigan Cherry Whiskey good for cocktails? Yes — the natural cherry juice and 80-proof strength give it enough flavor and backbone to anchor cocktails like a Cherry Manhattan or Whiskey Sour without requiring additional cherry liqueurs.

Where is Michigan Cherry Whiskey made? It is produced at the Leopold Bros. distillery in Denver, Colorado, using Montmorency tart cherries sourced from northern Michigan.

What foods pair well with Michigan Cherry Whiskey? Dark chocolate truffles complement the toffee and cherry sweetness. Aged sharp cheddar provides a savory contrast to the fruit. Duck breast with cherry reduction echoes the spirit's flavor profile. Vanilla bean cheesecake bridges the barrel's vanilla and the cherry fruit. Smoked almonds play off the marzipan undertones from barrel aging.

What sizes does Michigan Cherry Whiskey come in? The standard offering is the 750ml bottle, which is the most widely distributed size.

Is Michigan Cherry Whiskey worth the price? It positions as a craft-tier flavored whiskey, priced above mass-market cherry whiskeys but justified by its real-fruit production method, small-batch distillation, and bourbon-barrel finishing — a meaningful step up in complexity and authenticity over artificially flavored alternatives.

Why Michigan Cherry Whiskey?

What separates this expression from the crowded field of cherry-flavored whiskeys is its production lineage. Leopold Bros. draws on a genuine pre-Prohibition technique — blending real fruit juice with whiskey and allowing the marriage to mature in barrel — rather than adding flavoring after the fact. The use of northern Michigan Montmorency cherries, one of the most sought-after tart cherry varieties in the United States, gives the spirit an authenticity that artificial flavoring simply cannot replicate. Backed by a distillery recognized as ADI Distillery of the Year in 2015, this is a cherry whiskey built on craft credibility and historical intent.