Made in Vermont

Runamok Maple – Vermont Maple Syrup

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I’ll never forget the first spring when I owned my home in Middlebury – a ranch on three acres with a creek and my own little maple grove. A neighbor from across the street came over with shiny buckets one early spring day. He asked if he could tap my maple trees. What the heck, I figured. My sap would be transformed into his prized liquid gold… a fair trade in my mind. Over the years of living in Middlebury, I always looked forward to the beginnings of mud season. The sap started running in the warm days and cold nights of early spring. Every year, I would climb up the muddy path to his sugar shack with a four-pack of Vermont craft beer in hand. We would shoot the shit, while I pummeled him with questions about sugaring and syrup.

Some nights he would cook hot dogs in the steam coming off of the boil. Other nights he would tell me to stand in front of the boil for the best facial possible from the steam rolling off of the boil. Over the years, my neighbor John made some of the earthiest, most robust Vermont maple syrup I’ve had to date. I loved being part of the sugaring process, which is a Vermonter activity through and through.

Since I no longer live out in the country, I need to source my maple syrup elsewhere. I have started trying as much locally made, Vermont syrup as I can get my hands on. Hill Farmstead Brewery, located in Greensboro, Vermont, started my affinity for barrel-aged syrup, a treat on pancakes, in cocktails, and, my favorite, drizzled on yogurt with some seasonal berries. As I’ve branched out more and more, some of my favorite Vermont maple syrups come from Runamok Maple, specializing in infused syrups, smoked maple syrup, and barrel-aged maple syrups.

 

Runamok Maple Syrup VermontRunamok Maple’s History

Prior to starting Runamok Maple in April 2016, owners Eric and Laura Sorkin worked in the maple industry. They owned and operated one of the largest sugarbushes in the country, Thunder Basin Maple Works, also in Vermont.

Eric and Laura first came to Vermont to start an organic vegetable farm, after which Runamok Maple was started from the ground up. Eric interviewed local sugarmakers to learn the ins and outs of the industry and the short sap seasons in Vermont before taking the plunge into syrup production. He built the business from the ground up himself, an incredibly rewarding accomplishment seeing the national awareness and accolades the Vermont brand has received. The duo started Runamok in order to innovate maple syrup with a culinary focus. They also wanted to create a national brand around maple syrup produced here in Vermont that is beautifully packaged.

Runamok Maple now has well over 100,000 taps and produces over 55,000 gallons of syrup every year. The company actually operates two businesses: one for sugaring and one for Runamok Maple. Between the two, Runamok Maple employs 50+ Vermonters. Inside from the woods, their bottling facility and office space totals over 25,000 square feet.

Get to Know Runamok Maple

Runamok Maple is based in Fairfax, Vermont, with maple groves in northern Vermont and along the western slopes of Mount Mansfield. They pride themselves on creating pure, organic maple syrup, starting with “healthy trees grown in clean air and fed by mountain water.” All taps are placed by hand using tools that sugarmakers have used for hundreds of years. Runamok Maple’s goal is to tap healthy trees and boil sap while tasting the syrup produced daily. Then, when it has reached its peak, those batches are set aside for their signature offering: Sugarmaker’s Cut™.

After the creation of the high-quality, pure maple syrups, they package their offerings in small batches to ensure beautiful packaging of their completely organic product. All of their syrup is certified organic by Vermont Organic Farmers. Additionally, their woods are certified as Bird-Friendly by Audubon Vermont, striving to preserve the peace and tranquility of the woods in Vermont.

What Makes Runamok Maple Unique?

Side-by-side test testing of maple syrup, like craft beers or wines, is the best way to begin to understand the nuances and unique flavor profiles of maple syrup. So what separates Runamok Maple from other maple syrups in Vermont and beyond? Quality, unique flavors, an understanding of how to use them, and beautiful packaging.

In order to ideate around new products and infusions, Runamok Maple talks to their customers, both wholesale and consumer, on a regular basis, monitors trends, and does a lot of research and development to ensure they are producing the highest quality, innovative maple syrups not just in Vermont but nationally as well.

Runamok Maple Flavors

Runamok’s Sugarmaker’s Cut™ is the best of the best as far as traditional Vermont maple syrups go. They also have a variety of barrel-aged maple syrups and infused maple syrups as well. Their best sellers currently are their Ginger Root Infused, Sugarmaker’s Cut, Bourbon-Barrel Aged an Cinnamon + Vanilla, among other innovative flavors. Unlike many syrups, which are largely reserved for pancakes and waffles, Runamok has been recipe testing with maple syrup for over a decade. Their recipes include sweet and savory items, as well as drinks and recipes for kids.

Sugarmaker’s Cut™

“This is Runamok’s best. It is unblended, uncompromisingly pure and elegantly packaged. During the sugaring season, we taste our syrup every day and wait until the flavor has reached its absolute peak. When we think it is at its best, that is the syrup we set aside for the Sugarmaker’s Cut™.”

Barrel-Aged Maple Syrups from Runamok Maple

Unlike a lot of maple syrup makers who solely bourbon barrel-aged their syrup, Runamok also offers whiskey barrel-aged and rum barell-aged maple syrup.

Infused Maple Syrups from Runamok Maple

From ginger and elderberry to cardamom and jasmine tea, the infused maple syrups from Runamok Maple take you on a culinary journey and can be used in a variety of unique recipes.

Smoked Maple Syrups from Runamok Maple

Yes, smoke maple syrup is a thing! This unique maple syrup product delivers smoke and sweetness, and is delicious glazed on roasted vegetables, in chili or homemade barbecue, or added to a cocktail. It’s also tasty drizzled over Vermont cheese and characters and makes a flavorful addition to a charcuterie board.

Runamok Maple Recipes

Maple syrup isn’t just for drizzling. Runamok Maples wants to ensure maple takes a more prominent role in cooking, cocktails, and bakery. Their website is home to many delicious recipes, which were created after years of experimentation. Check back often as the recipes, accompanied by beautiful imagery, are added on a regular basis. All of Runamok’s recipes are broken down into the category of Drink, Eat and Indulge. You can even submit your own cocktails to be featured. Here are a few of our favorites:

Runamok Maple SamplersShop for Runamok Maple

From Runamok Maple’s website, you can purchase a variety of maple syrup offerings and gift ideas. They offer pancake gift sets, gift boxes, pairing collections, and individual bottles as well. The pairing collections are a fun way to sample a variety of syrups in 60ml bottles. They offer a Tea Pairing, Smoke + Barrel Pairing, Pantry Favorite, Cheese Pairing, Cocktail Pairing, and Ice Cream Pairing, with a variety of usages both sweet and savory.

If you’re looking to gift Runamok, their samplers make an awesome stocking stuffer or Vermont wedding gift. They are perfect for a foodie or a budding mixologist as well.

Some of their unusual flavors, like Makrut-Lime Leaf, one of my personal favorites, is something your friends and family have likely never tried before. Give them the gift of a new experience with an innovative Runamok Maple syrup!

 

*This post is sponsored by Runamok Maple.

Categories: Made in Vermont, The Best of Vermont

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