Unbound Spirits dedicates “The Last Beacon” small-batch bourbon to Save Algoma’s Catwalk

ALGOMA – Algoma craft distiller Unbound Spirits has dedicated its next small-batch bourbon to the Save the Catwalk campaign, the community effort to restore the historic 1908 catwalk on Algoma’s north pier. The release, The Last Beacon, is the fourth bottling in Unbound Spirits’ The Maelstrom Saga Series, and a portion of the proceeds from every bottle sold will go directly to the Save the Catwalk campaign.

“We at Unbound Spirits really wanted to join the effort to save the Algoma lighthouse and catwalk. They are iconic elements of the town and Lake Michigan’s coastline, so I wanted to create a special wheated bourbon that was just as iconic — and a portion of each bottle goes toward the restoration efforts.” said Kerry Brown, co-founder and master crafter of Unbound Spirits.

The public is invited to be among the first to taste The Maelstrom Saga Series 4: The Last Beacon at the Unbound Spirits Tasting Room, 318 Steele St., Algoma, starting Friday, Oct. 9, from 3-6 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 10, from noon to 4 p.m. Members of the Save the Catwalk Committee will be available to answer questions about the catwalk restoration after sampling this iconic release.

The custom designed label for The Last Beacon depicts a lighthouse keeper standing on the north pier, reaching down to pull a man from the water, with the catwalk prominently displayed and the lighthouse and its shining beacon behind him. Unbound Spirits likes to feature veterans on their labels and “The Last Beacon” label features United States Navy veteran and Algoma resident Jason Baltutis. Baltutis is a retired Petty Officer First Class, having served aboard the USS Midway (CV-41), USS Fife (DD-991), and the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). He also served in the first Gulf War and served during Operation Restore Hope (Mogadishu, Somalia).

The scene depicted on the label echoes the heroism of our veterans, but also that of our former lighthouse keepers and especially the sacrifice of Algoma Police Officer Ronald Leist, who lost his life on Oct. 9, 1969, while attempting to rescue a fisherman swept from the pier into Lake Michigan. Friday’s tasting falls on the 57th anniversary of his sacrifice.

Unbound Spirits is known for its award-winning world-class sipping spirits and its extra-aging techniques which take advantage of the ever-changing maritime weather and extreme temperature changes of the Great Lakes. The distillery has partnered with maritime and charitable organizations before, including the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, for which it created a bourbon named Saga 2: Torpedo Juice, which traveled aboard the submarine USS Cobia to Sturgeon Bay, on the way to its final bottling. Saga 4: The Last Beacon took a symbolic sail to Sturgeon Bay following the Algoma lighthouse route.

“We are very excited to be working with Unbound Spirits,” said Jacqueline Toepfer, treasurer of the Save the Catwalk Committee. “Not only is this a significant monetary benefit to our campaign, but this bottling is a tribute to Algoma’s maritime history, our catwalk and a touching reminder of the brave men who served, especially those who gave all. It will make an excellent collector’s item for those interested in fine spirits, a conversation piece at deer camp or a wonderful gift as we approach the holiday season.”

The Last Beacon is available in limited quantities. Information on this fundraising opportunity including links to Unbound Spirits can be found on http://shopsavethecatwalk.com/unbound-spirits.