A Pennsylvania Martini Thanks to Collaborative Vermouth

Philadelphia Distilling and Stone and Key Cellars (Montgomeryville, PA) have collaborated to release Revolutionary Vermouth. And right now you can get the vermouth, plus everything else you need to make a Pennsylvania Martini right from Philadelphia Distilling.

The Fishtown distillery is selling Martini Kits that include three one-liter bottles of Bluecoat Gin, a bottle of Revolutionary Vermouth and three oranges for $99 (normally $121). Basically, the vermouth is free. Get the pack direct from the distillery or shipped within the state of Pennsylvania.

The vermouth is also available direct from Stone and Key (but not Philadelphia Distilling, as distilleries can’t sell wine products to go – and that’s what vermouth is).

Single Barrel Rye Returns to New Liberty

New Liberty Millstone Single Barrel Straight Whiskey

The only feeling that compares to seeing a whiskey you enjoyed come around again is the joy that comes from seeing a whiskey you really wanted to try but didn’t, return. That’s our case with the Single Barrel Straight Millstone Rye Whiskey from New Liberty Distillery which has just made a return.

The whiskey is aged for two years in American oak and is crafted from 100% rye grain from Pennsylvania’s Deer Creek Malthouse. The whiskey is described as having “delightful notes of honey and orange blossom peppered with spice from our locally sourced grains, mellowed to perfection by the wood of premium seasoned barrels.”

750 ml bottles of the 95 proof Rye whiskey are available for shipment across Pennsylvania and for pickup at New Liberty’s Kensington distillery for $69.99.

Rowhouse Spirits Back Selling with New Spirits and Labels

Rowhouse Spirits Arak and Gin

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.

Continue reading “Rowhouse Spirits Back Selling with New Spirits and Labels”

Manatawny Has Two Thanksgiving Releases

Manatawny Still Works Bottled in Bond

Pottstown’s Manatawny Still Works has two bottle releases in time for your Thanksgiving feast. A year after releasing its first Bottled in Bond whiskey, the distillery is back with a second go-around, this one aged five years. Bottled in Bond is a kind of seal of quality and a technical term, meaning the whiskey has been distilled by one distiller, in one distilling season and aged for at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse and bottled at 100 proof.

This year’s Bottled in Bond is Manatawny’s oldest whiskey released to date and is described as having, “pleasing notes of sour cherries mix with oatmeal raisin on the nose, reminiscent of cherry cobbler. Bright flavors of apricots and dates fade to a deeper caramel and seasoned oak character with a mellow, dry finish.”

Bottles of the 100 proof whiskey are $70 and can be pre-ordered for pickup or shipping across Pennsylvania.

Continue reading “Manatawny Has Two Thanksgiving Releases”

Stateside Black Label Bourbon Returns

Mark your calendars. Stateside, much better known for their distinctive bottle and vodka, is releasing the fourth batch of their Black Label Bourbon on November 21. You can pre-order your bottle today for pickup on Saturday.

Stateside’s Black Label Bourbon is aged two years in American white-oak barrels. It is bottled at 80 proof and bottles cost $49.99. Get a customized laser engraved bottle for just three dollars more.

New Liberty Uses Local Bakery Starter in Sour Mash Whiskey

New Liberty Distillery is releasing a Sour Mash Rye Whiskey aged two years. And in a local twist, the whiskey is utilizing sourdough starter from Philadelphia’s High Street on Market restaurant and bakery.

The whiskey is described as having notes of “black tea and orange blossom on the nose.” That’s followed by “creamy vanilla fudge, leather, spice, and candied citrus peel” on the palate.

High Street on Market has recently relocated from its original Old City home to 9th and Chestnut, so you can pair your whiskey with a loaf of bread made with the same starter.

750 ml bottles are $69.99. Order your bottle of Millstone Sour Mash Rye online for pickup or delivery.

Blue Corn Whiskey from Kinsey

Kinsey Blue Corn Bourbon - Limited New Release

Ever wonder just how corn affects the taste of Bourbon? Then seek out bourbons that showcase different varietals like this limited release from Philadelphia’s New Liberty Distilling’s Kinsey line. Kinsey Blue Corn Bourbon is the latest corn specific whiskey, following on the heels of its Popcorn Bourbon, another specific corn release that has since sold out.

Here, the blue corn is described as “sweeter, nuttier notes to lend a buttery caramel aroma…. Rich nutmeg on the nose, mingled perfectly with candied spice, dried fruit, and cedar wood for a whole new take on tradition.”

Bottles of Kinsey Blue Corn Bourbon are $39.99 and available for curbside pickup, same day delivery to select Philadelphia zip codes and across the state by courier.

If you visit New Liberty this Saturday, you can paint a pumpkin in their courtyard while enjoying warm cocktails and Halloween treats.

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.

Manatawny Brings Back Maple Whiskey

Manatawny Maple Whiskey

On Friday, October 16th, Pottstown’s Manatawny Still Works is bringing back its Maple Whiskey. The Fall favorite will be available at the distillery, Philadelphia locations and from their online store. And for the first time, the Maple Whiskey will be available in more than 80 Fine Wine & Good Spirits shops around the state.

Manatawny collaborates with Pennsylvania’s Whiskey Hollow to make the whiskey. First the distillery lends used whiskey barrels to the maple syrup producer, where they age their maple syrup for up to a year. After the barrels are emptied, the syrup-soaked casks go back to the distillery and aging whiskey is added. Before bottling, Manatawny adds in some aged maple syrup to create a “decadent, slightly-sweet whiskey.” It makes for a fantastic Old Fashioned or if you’re feeling lazy, it works really well when poured over a large cube.

750 ml bottles of the 84 proof whiskey are $40.

New Liberty Launches Monthly Spirits Club

New Liberty Spirits Club

Philadelphia’s New Liberty Distilling has just launched a monthly spirits club. The cost is $59.99 per month or $699.99 a year (you can cancel at any time). The club comes with a bottle a month plus a host of other benefits including:

  • VIP Access to new releases
  • New Liberty Distillery merchandise
  • Exclusive member events such as tastings, tours and cocktail classes
  • Monthly store discounts
  • Free shipping
  • And the always titillating, “and much much more!”