Food Lovers' Guide: Bissell Maple Farm

To help perk up those early mornings, a shot of Bissell Maple Farm’s bourbon barrel aged maple syrup ($30) will wake you up. “The first time we tried it, we were like, Oh my gosh. This is phenomenal,” says owner Nate Bissell. While there’s no alcohol in the stuff, the shockingly intense flavor comes from aging hot maple syrup in American white oak bourbon barrels for six months to year. Unlike more northern farms that just use sugar maples, Bissell blends sap from red and sugar maple trees to make stronger maple-tasting syrups that range from golden ($9-$16) to dark robust ($9-$64) in the tradition started by the sixth-generation family-run company in the late 1800s. The farm’s deep-rooted history still gives way to fun new offerings such as the rich 100 percent maple cream that can be spread like butter onto biscuits and apples. “It’s considered a confection,” Bissell says. “It’s an underrated product.” Use It At Home: Elevate tamer grilled salmon by using the bourbon syrup as a glaze. 82 W. Ashtabula St., Jefferson, 440-563-3263, bissellmaplefarm.com