The ‘silos’ are an unmistakable landmark as you drive through Minden on Highway 395.
The home of the Minden Flour Milling Co. was built in 1906 and, along with the creamery, has since earned a permanent place in the collective memory of residents and visitors alike. The buildings traded hands a few times since H. F. Dangberg brought the railroad to the valley to fill with sustenance from Nevada’s bread basket, and until recently, they were closed. Not abandoned, something so stately lives on through its stories, but nonetheless could only be admired from outside.
Along came Christopher and Camille Bently, with a plan to breathe new life into this historic building. Prior to the transition of an estate distillery, Christopher’s father Don Bently owned and ran his business there before building at a new location down the road, once known as Bently Nevada. Once again the mill is processing grains, however, now in a way its founder would have surely appreciated but never imagined.
As a child, Chris knew the building was destined for something great. And the community waited with bated breath to see what would become of the beloved brick and metal. Today it’s known for many things like its stunning detail, tastes you can try to describe but really must experience, and chiefly, the estate distilled spirits.
The mill building is front and center and is now home to two German Forsyths pot stills, cooking up single malt whisky soon to be available to sample for many years to come. Beyond the silos lies the ‘creamery’, the hub really, of the renovated complex known as Minden Mill Distilling after Chris and Camille sold to the Foley Family. This highly automated distillery pours out vodka, gin, American whisky and liquors. It’s as high-tech as it gets, with enough of the human element to make you laugh out loud and truly appreciate the education you’ll receive when you go along on a tour.
There is really no other way to experience this world class operation than to sadle up to the bar after you take the tour.
Minden Mill, in Minden, Nevada, summer 2023.
Leased grains from Bently Ranch grows over 600 varieties of grain on 6,000 acres including heritage corn, oats, barley, and rye. Everything is milled on the ranch in the malt house to the exact specifications of the distiller.
The ranch has over 10 tons of grains stored and at the ready.
Carlito, as it’s fondly referred to, is a test still. Each distiller on the team gets to try one crazy idea per year, and sometimes those ideas aren’t so crazy after all.
This column still can turn out 1,000 gallons of vodka per day.
Whisky isn’t whisky until it gets intimate with the barrel, with which it will spend many, many years to come. (one of the first barrels from years past)
The historic Minden Flour Mill is now home to a single-malt distillery, cocktail bar and tasting room.
The historic creamery is now a distillery specializing in American style whisky, vodka and gin.
The tasting room on the second floor of the mill building. Mixologists behind the bar will whip up a tasty cocktail made just right.
Craft cocktails are served in the tasting room Thursday thru Sunday from 2pm to 8pm