Leads with juniper and is backed up with notes of pine forest, mulled spices, green olive and a hint of citrus.Welcome to Freeland Spirits, Portland’s new craft distillery. Freeland is named after my Meemaw (that’s what we call grandmas in Texas) Freeland, who never touched a drop of booze in her life but taught me that all good things come from scratch. And that women can be anything they want.Freeland Spirits celebrates the women of the craft. From the gals who grow the grain, to those who run the still, we’re creating superior spirits that celebrate all the Northwest has to offer.Freeland Spirits is one of very few women owned and run distilleries in history. Molly Troupe was born wearing a pair of chemist goggles and never took them off. With a background in biochemistry and a Masters Degree in Distillation from Heriot Watt in Scotland, Molly commands perfection with every spirit she orchestrates. Did I mention that women have more taste buds and 50% more olfactory cells? So don’t you want Molly making your spirits? I know I do.In December we launched Freeland Spirits Gin, which is crafted by hand in small batches. A traditional copper pot still brings juniper and 13 other botanicals to life. Meanwhile, a state of the art vacuum still cajoles quieter flavors including fresh cucumber, rosemary, mint and thyme. Yes, delicious in cocktails. But we suggest sipping it with just a cube of ice.Our first whiskey will be released Fall 2018. When I first starting dreaming up the idea of a distillery three years ago, I partnered with a distillery to get our first bourbon in barrels. We’re now finishing that bourbon in pinot barrels from Elk Cove Winery.Cory Carman, of Carman Ranch, raises grass fed beef and pork in the heart of some of Oregon’s best ag land in Wallowa County. Cory is growing grain for Freeland whiskey, because we believe the best grain in the world deserves to turn into the world’s best whiskey. Cory is planting rye this spring, as part of her new crop rotation of beef, pork and whiskey. Once it is harvested and milled, Molly will distill the rye and send it to dream sweet dreams in Oregon oak barrels. While we wait, Molly will play Beyonce lullabies in the barrel room.