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By Randall H. Borkus
Score: B+
Liberty Pole Spirits is a family-owned and -operated craft distillery began in 2016 by Jim, Ellen, Rob and Kevin Hough. The Houghs are longtime residents of Washington County, Pennsylvania. They caught the distilling bug within the early 2000’s when Jim purchased a 10-gallon nonetheless and realized the ropes of constructing distilled spirits as he contemplated retirement. After visiting numerous craft distilleries and creating his personal respectable whiskey mash payments, Jim satisfied Ellen that opening a craft whiskey distillery would a enjoyable retirement endeavor. Rob and Kevin, each mechanical engineers, joined the household enterprise. With Rob and Kevin working manufacturing, Ellen created craft cocktails and an unbelievable customer expertise, and Jim greeting prospects and speaking whiskey within the tasting room Liberty Pole Spirits grew to become greater than a dream. “Liberty Pole” is a registered trademark of Mingo Creek Craft Distillers, LLC.
The business distillery (versus Jim Hough’s passion) began with a 300-gallon nonetheless, expanded to a 600-gallon operation in 2019 and ultimately moved to a brand new facility in 2023, the place they tripled manufacturing.
The story behind the Liberty Pole began with members of the notorious Mingo Creek Society that will place liberty poles alongside the roadside and on the town facilities after which grasp Alexander Hamilton’s portrait the other way up to protest the 1791 federal excise tax on whiskey. In the present day, Liberty Pole Spirits continues the manufacturing of this rebellious spirit by their genuine Pennsylvania whiskey.
In genuine Monongahela Rye type, “Outdated Monongahela Full Proof Rye Whiskey” is made with a excessive rye mash invoice, using a candy mash distilling course of, and utilizing a 108 barrel entry proof. This low barrel entry proof helps stop the astringency that happens in excessive barrel proof whiskeys whereas extracting scrumptious taste notes that tempt the discerning whiskey palate.
The rye mash invoice made with 74% rye, (a composite of 61% Pennsylvania grown rye and 13% malted rye) and 13% wheat and 13% malted barley which is distilled in a basic pot nonetheless within the Pennsylvania rye whiskey custom. The spirit rests in 53-gallon barrels produced from Appalachian oak from the West Virginia Nice Barrel Firm.
The distillery states, “our inaugural launch of Outdated Monongahela Full Proof Rye Whiskey marks a milestone in our journey, showcasing a mix of six barrels starting from 3.5 to 4.5 years previous. Bottled at a proof of 108, mirroring its barrel entry proof [108], this expression captures the true essence of Monongahela Rye.”
The Whiskey
The whiskey’s look is a darkish amber brown. The nostril is stuffed with candy oak wooden notes with hints of Caramel, Vanilla, crushed prunes, and baking spices. The style is a full earthy Vanilla mash, candy dates, cinnamon spice and extra candy oak notes dusted with a touch of mocha. It jogs my memory of a polish pudding from my childhood, “budyń waniliowy” which my mother and aunt Jean would make us after I was a child. The end is delightfully warming, medium lengthy with extra candy oak wooden, a contact of earthiness and cinnamon sprinkles.
I discover this can be a should have bottle on my bar, and I used to be in a position to have it delivered to my entrance door. I’m going to have a great deal of enjoyable with this expression after I host blind rye whiskey tastings with my colleagues.
The Worth
Outdated Monongahela Full Proof Rye Whiskey is on the market on the distillery and accessible for delivery at $67 for a 750ml bottle.
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