Rye – Pennsy Local

February 19, 2021February 19, 2021

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.

November 20, 2020November 24, 2020

Bluebird Drops Two Spirits for Black Friday

This year has seen the disruption of way too many traditions and norms. So we’re happy to report that Bluebird Distilling is holding on to their Black Friday tradition of releasing two new spirits on Friday, November 27. For the sixth year, the Phoenixville distillery is kicking off the holiday season with special releases.

At 9 am, Bluebird will begin selling its Winter Whiskey and Barrel Proof Straight Rye. The Winter Whiskey takes the distillery’s Four Grain Bourbon, adds a pinch of brown sugar and a blend of winter spices. Winter Whiskey is described as having “warm notes of vanilla, baking spices, orange zest and toffee fill every sip.”

For customers looking for a more straight ahead whiskey, Bluebird is bottling a limited amount of Barrel Proof Straight Rye. It weighs in at 114 proof and promises to be “big, rich and bold.”

750 ml bottles of Winter Whiskey are $39.99, The barrel proof Rye is $39.99 for a 375 ml bottle. There will only be 150 bottles of the rye available.

Purchases will be offered outside the distillery. Bluebird will also offer special breakfast cocktails on their heated patio, as well as straight pours and cocktails to go.

November 13, 2020November 12, 2020

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.

October 30, 2020October 30, 2020

Liberty Pole’s Annual Spiced Whiskey Goes on Sale Sunday, November 1

Liberty Pole’s very popular Spiced Whiskey is set to go on sale this Sunday, November 1st at 10 am. But like most things in 2020, it will be different this year. In order to avoid crowding at the distillery, sales will only be available via Liberty Pole’s online store. Once ordered, bottles may be picked up at the distillery starting on Tuesday, November 3rd or they can be shipped directly to Pennsylvania residents.

Liberty Pole’s Spiced Whiskey is a blend of the distillery’s rye, cinnamon, allspice and oranges. That soaks together for about a week. Then brown sugar is added for a touch of sweetness. Think of it as a more sophisticated take on another Pennsylvania tradition, Rock & Rye.

The price of the Spiced Whiskey is $49 each and in addition to online, bottles will also be sold at PA Libations.

October 20, 2020

New Batch of Thistle Finch Bonded Rye Set for Release

Lancaster’s Thistle Finch Distillery is releasing the the third batch of their Bonded Rye Whiskey on Thursday, October 22. This particular batch has been harvested from a single barrel after five-years and five-months of aging.

The tasting notes are enough to get you in line today.

Our tasting notes include aromas of brown sugar, season oak, toasted cereal, and dried stone fruit. Flavors of warm toffee lathered in apple butter, with a rye spiciness reminiscent of pink peppercorns, and an approachable heat are present. It finishes with warm notes of pepper and freshly dipped caramel apple.

Just under 200 bottles are in this batch. Bottles of this limited whiskey will be available at the distillery for $67.

September 26, 2020

UPDATED: Barrel Swap Leads To Two New Spirits

Maggie's Farm 50/50 Rum Finished in Bourbon Barrel

Maggie’s Farm Rum and Liberty Pole Spirits have come together to do a barrel trade. Liberty Pole gave Maggie’s Farm a freshly dumped bourbon cask and Maggie’s sent Liberty Pole a used dark rum cask.

Maggie’s Farm took their normal “50/50” dark rum and finished aging it in that bourbon barrel. Maggie’s Farm founder Tim Russell says, “we’ve done bourbon barrel finishes with this rum before, but we really took our time with this one and even did some additional blending. I’m definitely proud of this one now, but I think I’ll still be proud of it a few years from now (which you know is rare if you know me).”

September 11, 2020

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.

August 26, 2020August 26, 2020

Wigle Releasing Suffragette Rye

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote with the ratification of the 19th Amendment, Wigle Whiskey is releasing a special edition whiskey, Suffragette Rye. The limited release features an eye catching colorful label designed by local Pittsburgh artist, Dakota Rethage. Over the next couple of weeks, Wigle Whiskey will also be celebrating its female employees through a social media campaign, #womenofwigle.

Inside the bottle, Suffragette Rye features an 84 proof, straight whiskey aged a minimum of two years in new charred oak. 375 ml bottles can now be pre-ordered for pickup. The bottles will be available at the distillery as of September 4th. Not able to make it in to the distillery? Get it shipped to your Pennsylvania residence.

February 18, 2020February 17, 2020

Stoll & Wolfe Brings Rosen Rye Back from the Brink

Litiz, PA distiller Stoll & Wolfe has just announced a lottery to purchase the first 60 bottles of its Rosen Rye. The first PA produced Rosen Rye to be released in nearly three decades.

Rosen Rye is a heritage grain that had fallen out of use but was once a staple at the old Michter’s Distillery in Pennsylvania. Master distiller Dick Stoll may have been the last man to distill from the grain from before Michters closed its distillery in 1990. Now with the help of Laura Fields and her SeedSpark Campaign, the grain has found its way into Stoll & Wolfe’s latest whiskey.

December 19, 2019December 19, 2019

Inquirer’s Craig LaBan Lists PA Spirits Among His Holiday Choices

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Craig LaBan lists Dad’s Hat’s Straight Rye and Manatawny’s Bottled in Bond in his list of the best whiskeys to buy this holiday season.

LaBan notes that age is helping both distilleries out, noting Dad’s Hat has recently bumped its Straight Rye from three to four years of age. He also notes that in Manatawny’s case, “[t]ime in a barrel is paying off for this rising distillery from Pottstown. “