Recklesstown Releases Second Cooper River Whiskey

Cooper River Rye - Aged at Recklesstown Farm Distillery

Last month, Recklesstown Farm Distillery released a batch of bourbon it had been aging that was originally distilled by the now closed, Cooper River Distillers in Camden, NJ. And this weekend, Recklesstown is releasing Cooper River Rye, aged between three and three-and-a-half years in 15 gallon barrels.

Like the bourbon, there are only 200 bottles available and when it is gone, it’s gone. Recklesstown describes the rye as having “a sweet, floral nose with a savory rye flavor and oaky finish.”

Bottles are $55 each and there is a limit of two bottles per customer.

Distilleries Offering Local Delivery

Upper Darby Police inspect about $72,000 in liquor seized during a raid. 1930

In these crazy times Pennsylvania distilleries are often reinventing their business models. One of the consumer friendly enhancements some distilleries have made is the addition of local delivery. Typically it means small or no minimums, cheaper delivery fees than shipping and sometimes arrival of the spirits to your front door on the same day. In accordance to Pennsylvania law, all deliveries must be received by someone 21 or older with valid ID. We’ve come a long way from the days of bootleggers and rum runners.

Just remember to tip well.

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Barrel 21 Releases Most Aged Product to Date

This Labor Day weekend, Barrel 21 Distillery in State College is releasing its most aged product to date, an Apple Brandy. The brandy has been aged for four years in used bourbon barrels.

This isn’t Barrel 21’s first apple product though. In fact the first product released to the public was an Apple Eu de Vie. Like the Eu de Vie, the Apple Brandy is made with locally sourced Keewaydin apples.

Pick up a bottle or two of the Apple Brandy this weekend and maybe a 32-ounce drink to go from Barrel 21 or Otto’s next door.

  • Lemon Thyme Martini
  • Tim’s Apple Wine Slushy
  • Jalapeno-Infused Bloody Mary

4Four6 Kicks Off Tea Blended Gin Series

4four6 Swamp Monster Gin

4four6 Distillery in the Sharpsburg section of Pittsburgh is releasing Swamp Monster Gin today, Friday, September 4th. The tea-blended gin is made in collaboration with Milvale’s Tupelo Honey Teas, who have made a name for themselves with collaborative beers, including with their neighboring Grist House. This tea was the result of trying a variety of teas with gin to great result. Swamp Monster was actually a blend Tupelo made for The Coffee Buddha Coffee Shop which has since closed (pre-COVID). But with Coffee Buddha’s blessing, it became the featured tea in Swamp Monster Gin.

The gin is described as having “great depth and complexity with herbal and floral notes. The gin botanicals complement the blended tea beautifully.”

Swamp Monster Gin is available at the Northway Mall Market beginning at 3 pm or at the Sharpsburg Tasting Room starting at 4 pm. 750 ml bottles are $36 each.

4four6 Distillery opened in early 2020 and have a line of rums (White and Spiced) and gin (Clementine and American Dry). Swamp Monster is the first in 4four6’s Blended Gin Series collaborations with Tupelo. Look for another tea gin to be released in time for the holidays.

Labor Day Sales Around Pennsylvania

Holla Vodka Mix Pack Pouches

It looks like several Pennsylvania distilleries are looking to help your wallet out this Labor Day weekend with sales. From Allentown to York, there are deals to be had.

Holla Spirits (York) – Select bottles and pouches are on sale. Also, get 15% off mix-and-match vodka pouches by using the discount code, MIXES15.

Hungry Run Distillery (Vira) – The bucolic distillery in Central PA is knocking 10% off of its best selling Blackberry Vodka all month.

Philadelphia Distilling (Philadelphia) – The Fishtown distillery is offering $2 to $5 off spirits this weekend and through October 4th. Get $2 off Penn 1681 Vodka, $3 off Bluecoat Barrel Rested Gin, $4 off Vieux Carré Absinthe and $5 off of Few Bourbon and Rye.

Xplorer Spirits (Allentown) – Get $5 off any bottle of Xplorer Spirits, including their new batch of Chocolate Bourbon Liqueur and shipping is a flat $5 per bottle.

Wardog Spirits Introduces Peach Bourbon

Wardog Spirits Peach Bourbon

Wardog Spirits at Black River Farms Vineyard & Winery in Bethlehem, PA released its Peach infused Bourbon this past week. Co-owner Andy Warner tells us that the peach bourbon has already been a big hit and with Labor Day weekend coming up, we imagine it will continue to be a favorite.

The whiskey starts with Wardog’s Black River Bourbon that then has a handmade peach puree blended in. The final product comes in at 70 proof and goes for $42.42 per 750ml bottle.

Wardog Spirits is open Monday through Thursday, from 2 pm to 5 pm and Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 5 pm.

Popcorn Bourbon? It’s a Thing

Kinsey Popcorn Bourbon

New Liberty Distilling has just announced new limited release under its Kinsey brand. Get ready for Popcorn Bourbon.

The bourbon is made with Zea Mays Everta Corn. And what is the exotically named Zea Mays Everta Corn? Well it’s the variety of corn typically used for making popcorn. Perfect perhaps for whiskey and a movie? The bourbon also blends Yellow Dent Corn and malted barley. It’s described as beginning “warm on the nose with notes of apple blossom and creamy sassafras. Drinking neat, you’ll find a lightness that carries flavors of vanilla, ripe cherries, and a lingering candied spice.”

The six year aged bourbon weighs in at 43.4% ABV and is available for $39.99 for a 750ml bottle. Follow this link to order Kinsey Popcorn Bourbon for pickup or delivery to Pennsylvania residents.

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New Building Rounding into Shape at Hungry Run Distillery

Hungry Run Distillery - New Building

The crispness in the air has us thinking of outdoor patios, fireplaces, fall foliage and road trips. This recent Instagram slideshow from Hungry Run Distillery has us Googling Vira, Pennsylvania.

Donald and Michelle Logan opened Hungry Run Distillery in 2015 on their own land. They started distilling with a rum and have since expanded into vodka, bourbon, gin and more. Now they’re making great progress on the newest building on the property and these photos speak of wonderful, relaxing days ahead with a whiskey in hand and a fire nearby.

Who’s ready for a road trip?

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Crostwater Bourbon Returns

Crostwater Bourbon Bottle

Weekends are typically the time when distilleries release spirits but Crostwater Distilled Spirits in Lewisberry, PA (just south of Harrisburg) is going with a Monday release. Today, August 31st, they are releasing a new batch of their Crostwater Bourbon. Made with Pennsylvania corn and a mash that also contains rye and malted barley, the bourbon is aged at least a year before bottling.

Described as having notes of lingering sweet caramel with “smokey notes on the nose and the back of your throat. It is not harsh or bitey. “

Available for pickup or local delivery, Crostwater Bourbon is $39.99 (80 proof). Due to the small batch size, the distillery is not taking pre-orders.

Crostwater already has October 16th marked on its calendar for a rye whiskey release and is also working on a bottle Pennsy Local has a well know weakness for, a version of the Pennsylvania classic, Rock-N-Rye.

Pennsylvania Distilling Releases First from Scratch Whiskey

Pennsylvania Distilling Single Malt

Malvern’s Pennsylvania Distilling has just released its first entirely from scratch American Single Malt Whiskey. This limited release is made from 100% two-row malted barley grown and malted in Pennsylvania. Some of the malt is smoked over PA cherry wood, giving the whiskey an even more Pennsylvania exclusive terroir.

The whiskey is available for pickup in-store or curbside. Free local delivery is also an option, as is shipping to PA residents.

The Pennsylvania Distilling Single Malt Whiskey is bottled at 88 proof and is $55.99 for a 750ml bottle.