What began as an experiment has officially earned its place in the herd. Tamworth Distilling’s The Deerslayer Venison Flavored Whiskey is graduating from its small-format House of Tamworth roots and joins the distillery’s full spirits lineup in a new “Buck-sized” bottle ($45) – following a response from distillery visitors, online buyers, hunters, outdoors enthusiasts, and adventurous whiskey drinkers.

To mark the occasion, Tamworth is giving fans more bang for their buck with a new 500ml bottle available beginning September 15, just in time for the start of New Hampshire’s hunting season.

Originally bottled exclusively in a palm-sized 200ml format, Deerslayer quickly proved that its appeal was anything but small. The experimental whiskey — made with smoked red venison, aged rye whiskey and an array of autumnal botanicals — became a sought-after bottle, prompting the distillery to expand production and give Deerslayer a permanent place alongside its core spirits.

And for those who prefer their Deerslayer “Bambi-sized,” the original 200ml bottle isn’t disappearing into the woods. The “Bambi bottle” will remain available alongside its new 500ml counterpart.

“When we first released The Deerslayer in 2020, we knew we had made something unusual, but we didn’t expect it to take on a life of its own,” Steven Grasse, Founder and Owner of Tamworth Distilling, said in a news release. “It went viral almost immediately on a bunch of country music radio stations and became a cult favorite amongst whiskey collectors, outdoorsmen, and people who simply wanted to try something they had never tasted before. More importantly, it became the blueprint for House of Tamworth and our ‘weird whiskies’ — inspired by the landscape around us and our belief that whiskey can be a hell of a lot more interesting when you’re willing to break a few rules.”

The distillery team sources red deer meat, hand-chops it, and combines it with small amounts of cranberries, porcini mushrooms, juniper berries, and green peppercorns — each chosen to evoke the flavors and aromas of the New Hampshire forest. Juniper lends an evergreen, piney note; green peppercorn brings a bright, snappy spice reminiscent of a young branch breaking in the woods; while porcini mushrooms add a deep, earthy and grounding undertone.

“Originally, we were painstakingly making Deerslayer one bottle at a time, preparing ingredients, and smoking the venison by hand,” Grasse said. “As its fanbase has grown, we’ve been able to refine and streamline the production process by acquiring a larger and automated smoker. It’s exciting to now be able to make more of it, without losing the hands-on spirit behind it.”

After fermenting overnight to accentuate the venison’s gaminess, the mixture is slow-smoked over seasoned branches from New Hampshire’s boreal forests before its final distillation in a rotary evaporator. Aged rye whiskey provides a bold, spicy backbone that complements the venison and forest botanicals. The resulting whiskey is savory and smoky, with subtle spiced fruit on the palate and a lingering finish.

“The juniper, porcini, green peppercorn, and cranberry are used in small amounts to build this woodsy, autumnal character around the venison,” Matt Power, Distiller and Biochemist of Tamworth Distilling, said. “Fermenting and smoking the venison brings out those savory aromas, while the rye gives us a spicy backbone that can stand up to them. The goal is for it to taste like the New England woods in the fall — not just like a piece of venison in a glass.”

Known for its boundary-pushing, nature-driven spirits, Tamworth Distilling has long looked to its rural New Hampshire surroundings for unlikely inspiration. The Deerslayer brings that philosophy to life through the flora, fauna, and flavors of the region, offering a distinctly spirited taste of autumn in New England. Fittingly, Deerslayer arrives September 15, coinciding with the start of New Hampshire’s hunting season.

The Deerslayer (49.5% ABV / 99 proof) will be available for direct-to-consumer purchase in 45 states via TamworthDistilling.com, at NH Liquor & Wine Outlets, Total Wine & More in Massachusetts and in person at Tamworth Distilling (15 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth, NH).

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ABOUT TAMWORTH DISTILLING  

Tamworth Distilling is a craft distillery, founded and owned by liquor brand savant Steven Grasse, that focuses on creating truly one-of-a-kind, small-batch spirits that reflect the flora and fauna of lush Tamworth, New Hampshire. All ingredients used in the production of spirits are farmed or foraged within 150 miles of the distillery. In addition to showcasing local and natural ingredients, the brand highlights prominent historical American events, figures, and notable geography; including figures such as Henry David Thoreau, and landmarks including New Hampshire’s famed Old Man of the Mountain.