Good local whiskey not wiggle.

Submitted by matty_m t3_zlejit in pittsburgh

My girlfriend’s dad likes whiskey. I got him some wiggle whiskey last year, but I am looking to find something different. I am not a big drinker so I am putting it out to Reddit for any recommendations.

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kk14258 t1_j04wr6n wrote

McLaughlin’s!!!

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mamallamam t1_j04xh16 wrote

Check out PA Libations in the strip

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BeMancini t1_j04xya1 wrote

Quantum Spirits distillery in Carnegie makes gin, vodka, and two really good whiskeys. They also have a limited edition brandy right now. Totally worth the trip.

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TheTunnelMonster t1_j04y997 wrote

I totally understand wanting to shop locally to support the community, but if he’s REALLY into whiskey there are far better and often times cheaper options than the local stuff. Most of the local stuff just isn’t aged long enough yet to be worth purchasing unless you’re just planning to mix it to hide the meh taste.

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G_monet22 t1_j0513c0 wrote

Heritage Bourbon is a good one. You can find it at Pennsylvania Libations as recommended above. They also let you taste test there so you can try before you buy.

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Polishwiz14 t1_j051h0h wrote

Not local to PGH, but local to PA... I went in to PA Libations in the strip and asked a similar question 3 years ago. What is your best sipping Whiskey? Their answer, Stoll and Wolfe. We buy it annually for my FIL now, and it is fantastic! Warning: $80 price tag. Still worth it.

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darthmom t1_j053ofm wrote

Nova in Lawrence county.

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412LiveCrew t1_j0546p9 wrote

Dads Hat bottled in bond is great and local enough

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nicksloan t1_j054vk1 wrote

Replying to TheTunnelMonster (#924,851)

If he’s really into whiskey, he’s probably familiar with a lot of the staples. This kind of parameter probably ensures it will be something new to him. Maybe not the best he’s had, but possibly something interesting and different all the same. Not to mention something more unexpected than whatever his favorite is might be something to bond over.

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weerock4ammy t1_j055x6c wrote

Replying to kk14258 (#924,781)

That was the first distillery my husband and I went to when we first moved to the area. They let him take a picture that looked like he was drinking straight from the still (in a sanitary manner naturally). One of the best moments for him. Love that place!

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Whiplash_666 t1_j05631z wrote

You would think an area of the country known for the whiskey rebellion we’d have something worth mentioning here

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I_like_turtles818 t1_j057djs wrote

Nothing PGH but whistle pig is a fantastic whiskey

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Lonely_Recipe_583 t1_j05fm1q wrote

B&B distillery, and Red Pump in Washington is pretty good

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agentmonkeynuts t1_j05regx wrote

It may not be traditional "whiskey", but Maggie's currently has a rye-aged rum that could probably fool a lot of folks if it wasn't so good. Maggie's is my (only) go-to for local spirits, personally haven't found anything else that measures up.

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Majestic_Ad_7281 t1_j05s6o6 wrote

Everything I’ve had from Big Spring Spirits is solid. They are Pennsylvania, not Pittsburgh specific. As mentioned PA Libations is a great resource. You can taste anything before you buy.

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tapedum t1_j064oak wrote

Have you tried the pickle flavored whisky? I can’t remember the name but got a bottle the last time I was there…

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Self_Hating_Dentist t1_j067yrg wrote

Replying to Whiplash_666 (#925,327)

Up until about a decade ago the PA laws prevented commercial distilleries from having tap rooms so while your point is fair, there isn’t a whole lot of precedent for whiskey making/selling in PA since potential distillers were never able to easily sell their product. As a result there were very few distilleries up until coincidentally, Wigle helped change the PA laws which saw a proliferation of PA distilleries. Look up “Gifford Pinchot,” the former PA governor during prohibition whose tee-totaling policies are the reason why we have such draconian alcohol laws to this day.

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willl_dearborn t1_j06cirt wrote

David E is good and has multiple price points. I also like Resurgent.

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articfoxman t1_j06gmdj wrote

It's been said but Liberty Pole has a few really good whiskeys. Family run small business. Looking forward to when their new location is finalized. It's out in Washington but I have seen their stuff in a few liquor stores.

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Onepopcornman t1_j06icch wrote

Replying to Polishwiz14 (#925,039)

It’s aged in PA? But I think it’s distilled in Indiana. Might need to double check that but that is what I remember.

Edit: Looks like there Rye is now distilled here and their bourbon for at least some of their projects is still MGP.

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lefthandb1ack t1_j06mry3 wrote

Replying to uglybushes (#924,838)

I thought it was just that I was unsophisticated. I mean I am, but it’s good to know I’m not the only one that doesn’t like Wigle. And it starts with the pronunciation of the name. I grew up on phonics so gtfooh with your double g sound on one g. FOH

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Rook22Ti t1_j06mtpp wrote

Replying to lifes_nether_regions (#925,032)

I must have gotten a bad bottle from them because people recommend them very often here. The rye tasted like what I can only describe as "pungent."

I went back to Rittenhouse or Bulleit but I'll have to give them another shot.

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Willow-girl t1_j06ocs9 wrote

Replying to Self_Hating_Dentist (#927,022)

> Look up “Gifford Pinchot,” the former PA governor during prohibition whose tee-totaling policies are the reason why we have such draconian alcohol laws to this day.

Ehh. I'd say it's more because the government can make a f-ton of money by being the supplier, or licensing authorized suppliers.

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RagnarHedin t1_j06qjnq wrote

Replying to Rook22Ti (#927,689)

Everything I've had from them is fantastic, including their rye and bourbon. Another company distills it, then they age it. But their gin, vodka, and other clear spirits are all distilled on-site. Last I heard, they plan on eventually getting a pot still and doing it all themselves.

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lawn_mower_dog t1_j06v3u2 wrote

I’m a big fan of Buffalo Trace but always have trouble finding it. It’s not expensive and it’s delicious so keep your eyes peeled.

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dampfire t1_j06vwcu wrote

Kingflys whiskey is top notch. Their rum drinks like a bourbon.

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hooch t1_j06whw8 wrote

Replying to mamallamam (#924,809)

Seriously, can't recommend this store enough. There are lots of good whiskeys local to SW PA that I've never heard of. And they'll let you taste just about anything.

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BillyEnzin69 t1_j06wwt6 wrote

Local whiskey? Make a left at the first light in Pitcairn, go half a mile, make another left, go a quarter mile and you’ll see a hollow log. Just stick a $20 in there and come back the next day.

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kancitbassdud2 t1_j075bwx wrote

My uncle really likes the rye whiskey from Red Pump in Washington. The grains they use are local too

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heili t1_j078os0 wrote

Liberty Pole.

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ozymand25 t1_j07n5n1 wrote

There's a PA only liquor store on Walnut St in Shadyside. They carry Liberty Pole, Wigle, and all other PA distillery.

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Rook22Ti t1_j089ujd wrote

Replying to myhouseisabanana (#929,813)

I'm definitely not an aquavit connoisseur and I don't have a lot to compare it to. I drank a bit when I went to Iceland back in 2016 but I haven't had any since. It was definitely neat to see a local distiller making that.

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ZFunktopus t1_j08dtsj wrote

Check out Lucky Sign down in Millvale

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ongoingbox t1_j08h4gl wrote

Replying to Jeepers_Meeperz (#924,881)

I tend to like the small batch bourbon stuff Wigle does. I remember liking the Ginever and the Coffee Liqueur. Curious about those newish Amari. Not much of a fan of the basic whiskeys.

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wagsman t1_j08rbqp wrote

Missed out on the state liquor lottery a few weeks back. Couldve gotten some Van Winkle for him, and if he's a whisky guy he's probably heard of that brand. However, it's not local. It's now bottled out of Buffalo Trace which is in KY.

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