I was in the area recently so flew over to the Wyoming Whiskey distillery, hoping to take the tour and maybe buy a bottle. Here was the scene upon my arrival: recently cut hay fields all around the plant (the big metal building in the center), dirt roads with no power lines, and a light breeze exactly from the right direction. And here was the end result: Well actually, HERE was the end result: But, it's not what you think, I didn't land at the distillery, but ended up flying off and later that day I accidentally noticed that Wyoming has their liquor stores in the grocery stores, or at least the one I was in sold booze. The woman clerk didn't quite understand why I was laughing when I simply walked up to the shelf, grabbed a bottle, and pulled my wallet out. It was soooo easy, and uncomplicated.

Point being, a huge part of the landing off airport thing is, after the practical considerations are made (runway length, wind etc.) the other part is whether or not landing would cause a RUKUS, and let's just leave the legalities out of the equation, the FAR's and all that. I could have landed this site and taxied right up to the front door, but it would have caused a RUKUS. A few years back, before cell phone cameras became so common and youtube, I probably would have. Or maybe I'm just getting old, but I'm so damn proud of myself for not landing there, I must be maturing as a pilot, finally. But I should mention, if I had been able to spot anybody in one of those hay fields, I would have circled and waggled my wings until they waved back, and then immediately landed, thinking they gave me permission, ha ha.

"Tonight at 11 on Big Sky News... we have cell phone video of a drunken pilot crash landing a small plane on a road next to the distillery, buying a bottle of whiskey and taking off again. A protest march on the FAA in Washington is being organized by the local religious fanatic group..."

Are they a still or a blender? It's tough to make good whisky on the quick you know? Many smaller stills are producing and barreling for many years before marketing their own product. In the mean time they buy whisky from other distillers and blend to a distinctive taste.

<edit>
Let me rephrase that; apparently they are a small batch still and claim 100% Wyoming product.

So, how was it?

EB

Sounds like a great raffle prize for the next BCP Johnson Creek Fly-In

It came to my attention that some may have thought I intended to take the distillery tour if I had landed, and actually sample the whiskey. That is so far from my mindset that it never occurred to me put that disclaimer in, consider it in. Drinking and flying is about as funny as a turd in a punch bowl, and I sure didn't want anyone to think I'd joke about or worse yet do it, seriously.

I just like seeing things manufactured, those TV shows like "How it's made"...I can watch those for hours. I always jump at the chance to take any kind of factory or plant tour. I have no idea of their process, but my neighbor's considered opinion was that is was "pretty good" whiskey, better anyway then he thought he had heard some time earlier, so it looks like their process is improving. I also like supporting and buying local, and Wyoming is only 60 miles away!

I just zoomed in on my first picture, taken over the distillery, and though I had been circling for several minutes, I can't see one person outside looking up, from what appear to be occupied buildings and trailer houses. A great example of how well the Swiss muffler works!