Ep. 172: Iron City Distilling with Matt Strickland

There's More To Western Pennsylvania Than The Whiskey Rebellion!

If you're a whiskey nerd of any level, of course you know this, but it's worth saying again. Previous guests such as Wigle Whiskey and Liberty Pole Spirits have done excellent work exploring the Whiskey Rebellion's place in history and its importance to the area - so if you're a new distillery looking to find your niche, you better bring something new or different to the table. 

When Matt Strickland had the opportunity to return stateside from his time at Distillerie Cotes de Saints, the call came from Pittsburgh, but he had a question: what does success look like? And what will set us apart? 

Before a drop was distilled or a brick laid, the answer became clear: revive a style of rye (or multiple styles, more accurately) using heritage grains, a pot still, and a three-chamber still, only the second active one in the US and third in the world. Working with only Pennsylvania farmers (including previous guest Bob McDonald) and thought leaders like Laura Fields, Matt built out the distillery with the blessings of his bosses to make it authentic and make it right, efficiency be damned. 

Bringing in historically accurate features like 38-43 gallon barrels and brick, steam-heated warehouses similar to what they would have used in the 19th and early 20th centuries, The Iron City Team is creating a new, old, new again style of whiskey. We have a bit more time before the whiskies are ready for the public, but I'm as excited as anyone to try them. 

Matt will also be back to talk more about his writing and education after delving a bit into his work in this episode, so more to come! 

Thank you to Matt for entering the Whiskey Ring!

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