Gin – Pennsy Local

August 25, 2021August 25, 2021

Wigle Wipes Up at 2021 American Craft Spirits Association Awards

Wigle Whiskey won 40, yes FORTY awards at the virtual 2021 American Craft Spirits Association Awards show last night. That includes six bronze medals, 17 silver medals and a gold in the Whiskey category alone.

But Wigle Whiskey wasn’t the only winner for the evening. Manatawny Still Works took home six medals including three silvers for whiskey. Revivalist Spirits made a solid showing with five medals and Washington County’s Liberty Pole Spirits added three medals to Pennsylvania’s medal count.

Delaware saw multiple medals from Dogfish Head Distillery and Painted Stave Distilling.

More analysis to follow.

February 19, 2021

Rowhouse Spirits Back Selling with New Spirits and Labels

Rowhouse Spirits will be returning to the weekly East Falls Farmers’ Market this Saturday, February 20th with a new product and a new batch of gin.

Dean Browne is debuting his take on a Middle Eastern style Arak. Arak is a traditional distilled spirit made from just two ingredients, grapes and aniseed, the seeds of the anise plant. Browne will have 750 ml bottles on sale for $30 at the market.

He will also be bringing along his first run of gin (check out the new label) from his new Germantown distillery along with his Akvavit and High Street Amaro.

January 29, 2021

Port Gin Returns with New Look at Manatawny

Manatawny Still Works - Port Barrel Finished Gin

Pottstown’s Manatawny Still Works is bringing back its pink-hued Port Finished Gin in time for Valentine’s Day. Previously released as “Zimbro” — the Portuguese word for juniper, the spirit recently was named one of Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Spirits of 2020.

The gin will be available for online pre-order starting on Friday, February 5th for $40 per 750 ml bottle. Pickup and delivery will be available from Manatawny’s Philadelphia and Pottstown locations beginning on Friday, February, 12th.

The gin is finished with Gandona Estate port barrels which bring out the juniper and add sweetness, mild oak and vanilla. Pennsy Local was able to get a sip this week and felt there was definitely more port tasted in this second release.

Earlier in the pandemic, Zimbro was the backbone of some exciting cocktails at Pennsy Local HQ, including in a very tasty number made with Wigle’s Saffron Amaro and orange.

October 23, 2020

Rowhouse Spirits Is Back with a Spooky New Spirit

Rowhouse Wendigo Gin - Artwork by Sam Heimer

Rowhouse Spirits, which we told you was getting set up in the Germantown section of Philadelphia after moving on from its Frankford Avenue location, has its first new spirit.

On Halloween, Dean Browne will be releasing Wendigo Gin at the East Falls Farmers’ Market. The limited edition gin bridges the move between the two distilleries. Distilled at the Kensington location and bottled at the new distillery.

The gin is distilled from rye and flavored with juniper, sumac and spruce tips. And if you are wondering what’s a Wendigo? According to Wikipedia, the wendigo “is a mythological creature or evil spirit from the folklore of the First Nations Algonquin tribes based in the northern forests of Nova Scotia, the East Coast of Canada, and Great Lakes Region of Canada and in Wisconsin.” As typical, Browne’s newest spirit features artwork of a local artist. In this case, Sam Heimer whose work is especially apropos this time of year.

750 ml bottles of Wendigo Gin are $40 and available at the farmers’ market from 10 am to 2 pm, or pre-order online. Browne will also have a select few bottles of brandy, coffee liqueur, eau de vie featuring Pennsylvania apples and High Street Amaro, Rowhouse’s perfect way to localize your negroni or Manhattan.

October 8, 2020October 8, 2020

County Seat Adds Barrel-Aged Gin to Lineup

This Friday, October 9th at 5 pm, County Seat Spirits in Easton will be releasing a new spirit. They’re taking their Lock Keeper Gin and aging it in a charred white oak barrel.

Barrel-finished gins are a great way to extend gin season. Often thought of light and crisp, the time in the barrels adds smoky depth to gin and really adds something to cocktails like the negroni.

County Seat’s take on barrel-finished gins is $37 per 750 ml bottle and can be picked up in Easton. Lock Keeper Barrel Finished Gin will also be made available to be shipped or delivered locally.

September 21, 2020

Rowhouse Spirits Plants Roots in Germantown

Rowhouse Distilling up and running in Germantown

Back in February, Dean Browne closed up his Rowhouse Spirits on Frankford Avenue in Kensington. Plan was to get more space to accommodate some new projects and reopen. But plans and 2020? Well yeah, 2020.

Browne has persevered and wound up landing in East Germantown, at 4717 Stenton Avenue. The Philadelphia neighborhood is suddenly attracting exciting businesses as Attic Brewing, Deke’s BBQ and Merzberger’s of Germantown, the re-branded and retail facing Philly Bread, have all opened their doors nearby.

September 4, 2020

4Four6 Kicks Off Tea Blended Gin Series

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.

August 20, 2020August 19, 2020

JaggerBush Gin Released by Lawrenceville Distilling

Lawrenceville Distilling has released JaggerBush, a new gin joining the cleverly named Ginzer (you know, like Yinzer). This time taking its inspiration on the Pittsburgh name for thorny plants. An apropos title for a gin made with juniper, coriander, lemon peel, orange peel, lavender, orris root, black peppercorn and French winter wheat. By comparison, Ginzer is a blend of juniper, coriander, orange, and clove.

JaggerBush is available now for $25 via pickup or delivery to Pennsylvania residents for a flat $10. FedEx Express Saver rate.

July 22, 2020

Snug Harbor – A New Gin from New Liberty Distilling

New Liberty Distilling - Snug Harbor Gin

Philadelphia’s New Liberty Distilling has released a new London Dry style of gin. Snug Harbor Gin is $24.99 for a 750ml bottle. The sourced gin is described as having a “classic citrus flavor and aroma due to the addition of dried lemon and orange peels in addition to the juniper and other botanicals.”

New Liberty is offering local delivery radiating from its Kensington address, curbside pickup and shipping to Pennsylvania addresses.

February 27, 2020September 4, 2020

Lancaster Distilleries Adds Two New Products

Lancaster Distilleries, a micro-distillery located in the Zoetropolis Cinema is grandly adding two new products to its lineup on Saturday, March 14th at 12 pm. The downtown Lancaster distillery is adding a barrel-rested gin and a spiced rum to its offerings.

The launch day will feature free tastings, tours as well as brunch specials infused with Lancaster Distilleries spirits from 12 pm to 3 pm.

If you cannot wait, the aged gin is available now.