Bourbon Heritage Month
Each September we celebrate America’s native spirit, bourbon. This amber spirit is beloved throughout the world. Salute bourbon’s craftmanship by learning about the history, crafting cocktails, hosting a tasting and visiting Pennsylvania’s Bourbon Trail.
Made in America. Made for you.
Bourbon was born in Kentucky, and to this day, 95% of the world’s supply is crafted there. Although many people believe this whiskey must be made in Kentucky to be considered a bourbon, it can be made anywhere in the United States. Our Assistant Store Manager and bourbon expert, Joe Brown discusses bourbon and some of its nuances. Check out our video.
Characteristics of Bourbon. Sip, Savor and Enjoy.
Not every whiskey can claim the name of “bourbon” as it requires a few specific characteristics. In addition to being American-made, it must consist of no less than 51% corn mash, be aged at 125 proof or less, in new, unused charred barrels, bottled between 40% ABV and 160% ABV and contain no additives.
Bourbon cocktails date back to at least the 1800s
The name old fashioned came from people requesting bartenders to create their cocktail the “old-fashioned” way. The mint julep became synonymous with the Kentucky Derby but is traced back to an Arabic drink. And a manhattan has many stories — some believe it was created at the Manhattan Club while others say it’s from the famed Hoffman House.
Our Recommendations
Visit Pennsylvania’s Bourbon Trail Distilleries
Find a new bourbon to add to your collection.
Pittsburgh, PA Bourbon Trail
Altered State Distillery
Our grains imported from around the world create innovative and unique spirits.
Altered StateLiberty Pole Spirits
Family-owned, pot-distilled distillery is grain-to-glass using a rare corn (bloody butcher).
Liberty Pole SpiritsMcLaughlin Distillery
Small-batch, craft distillery tucked away in woods, it has an old-school moonshiner feel.
McLaughlin DistilleryWigle Whiskey
Dedicated to producing an organic regional grain-to-glass, small-batch whiskey in a copper pot still.
Wigle WhiskeyMLH Distillery
Four local families partnered on distillery, delivering superior spirits sourced by local ingredients.
MLH DistilleryCentral PA Bourbon Trail
Appalachian Craft Spirits
Distilled with recipes born from Appalachian moonshiners & methods that’ve been refined.
Appalachian Craft SpiritsBarrel 21 Distillery
Using a steam system designed to preserve aromas & flavors to bring out the complexity of the spirits.
Barrel 21 DistilleryHidden Still Spirits
Based in Hershey, the distillery & restaurant produces top-shelf spirits and farm-to-table dining.
Hidden Still Spirits BourbonMidstate Distillery
Harrisburg's first distillery since Prohibition, it uses local PA ingredients, when possible.
Midstate DistilleryLehigh, Allentown, PA Bourbon Trail
Boardroom Spirits
Incorporating European distilling traditions with American ingenuity and powered by clean energy.
Boardroom SpiritsEight Oaks Farm Distillery
Veteran-owned and family-run, with a farm-to-bottle approach they grow all grains.
Eight Oaks FarmsHewn Spirits Distilling
All grains used in the mash and distilling process are grown within 10 miles of the distillery.
Hewn SpiritsSocial Still Distillery
Every purchase from the distillery provides five months of safe water through water.org partnership.
Social StillPhiladelphia, PA Bourbon Trail
Bluebird Distilling
A true grain-to-glass, world-class distillery, based in historic Phoenixville.
Bluebird DistillingPennsylvania Distilling Co.
The distillery uses grains and malts sourced from small farms in PA.
Pennsylvania Distilling Co.Mermaid Spirits Co.
A family-run distillery, hand-crafting their spirits in Huntingdon Valley.
Mermaid SpiritsBrandywine Branch Distillers
Produces two PA brands, Revivalist Gins & Resurgent Whiskey.
Brandywine Branch DistillersNew Liberty Distillery
Just minutes from Center City, they draw on local ingredients.
New Liberty Distillery