Inspired by history Glacier Distilling Company continues to evolve

New ventures are on the horizon for the national and global award-winning Glacier Distilling Company.

This summer, the Coram-based distillery’s former restaurant, Josephine’s Speakeasy, has transitioned into a space for community programming and private events to realign with the company’s long term goals.

Glacier Distilling’s General Manager, Jessica Sorenson said it has been an ever-evolving task trying to bring the two spaces together.

“With events, it's going to tie them back together in a way that we can still use all of our spirits for the event,” Sorenson said. “Now we have Josephine's events at Glacier Distilling. We’re trying to create this as more of an entire compound versus two separate adjacent lots.”

While the tasting room continues to offer a variety of spirits through bottle sales or tasting flights, Josephine’s will act as a bridge for the public to experience what is happening in the distillery through interactive cocktail classes.

The reimagined space will offer classes Tuesday through Friday and during the off season, Josephine’s will be used for community game nights and a cocktail club.

“The restaurant was so beloved by the community,” said Laura Abernathy, Glacier Distilling’s event coordinator. “So in addition to being a private event space, we want to create community programming as well.”

The cocktail making classes are $35 per person and include a welcome drink, cocktail glass, and discounts on bottles and shakers. Participants can choose between the “Huckleberry Heaven” or “Ways of Whiskey” cocktail making classes. The classes are led by experienced bartenders who share tips and tricks, and even the history of the cocktails.

Their cocktails are often made with herbs grown right on the property; if desired, bartenders can also help participants craft mocktails, said Abernathy.

“Nick, the owner, said they loved doing the restaurant, but it became less about highlighting the spirits,” said Abernathy. “They wanted more of an experience based programming to see an extension of the distillery.”

Despite the transition, the distillery is maintaining the namesake and unique history of Jospehine Doody, also known as the Bootleg Lady of Glacier Park.

“Josephine was this local Montana moonshine woman. She was a working girl and made her way up here. She was pseudo kidnapped in the woods and made a deal with a local trader guy for corn mash and started making moonshine in the mountains,” Abernathy explained. “Josephine’s is a really old restored landmark cabin that they just extended the name onto so there’s that attachment to the historical identity.”

The cabin is reminiscent of Doody’s own homestead which is located in Glacier National Park. While exploring the remnants of the Doody homestead, Nicholas Lee, Glacier Distilling’s founder and owner, found an original recipe for Doody’s moonshine in the floorboards, according to Abernathy. The once forgotten concoction can be sampled at the distillery’s tasting room.

“The community members are excited about coming to cocktail classes and being a part of how we build programming and the brand moving forward,” said Sorenson. “Throughout the summer we constantly get calls to reserve space and we had to say that we don't do any private parties. We received that call enough times that it seemed like this would be a positive transition.”

Whether it’s a wedding, rehearsal, corporate meeting, or private party, event organizers can bring in their own catering to use the full kitchen or bring in a food truck. Nonprofit organizations wishing to rent the space, receive a 50% discount. Private and group tours of Glacier Distilling are also available and include information about how the whiskey is made, the distillery’s history, a walk through the production floor, and a guided tasting.

“There are so many barrels that are resting that I haven’t even heard of yet because they have dozens of different projects going on,” said Abernathy. “Each has its own personal, intimate, and creative identity. You could almost fully stock a bar with everything they make in this one distillery.”

To learn more about Glacier Distillery or renting out Josephine’s, visit glacierdistilling.com, email or call 406-387-9887.

Reporter Summer Zalesky may be reached at szalesky@dailyinterlake.com.