Pittsburgh distilleries win medals in national craft spirits competition
At the American Craft Spirits Association awards, a purposefully Pittsburgh potion picked up a particularly praise-worthy prize.
Eau de Pickle, which Pittsburgh Distilling — more well-known as Wigle Whiskey — made with the Downtown Pittsburgh Partnership for the annual Picklesburgh Festival, won Wigle a national Innovation Award at the American Craft Spirits Association gathering in Minneapolis Monday night. The ACSA gave five such awards, which recognize “remarkable spirits whose flavor profiles may stray from their category’s signature notes.”
Eau de Pickle — a ryebased aquavit-like spirits flavored with dill, coriander, mustard seed and garlic — also won a silver medal in the Specialty Spirits category, and Wigle won other medals, as did other distilleries in this region.
The Western Pennsylvania winners by category: Specialty Spirits
Silver — Allegheny Distilling (Strip District) Maggie’s Farm Falernum
Silver — Allegheny Distilling Maggie’s Farm Coffee Liqueur Whiskey
Silver — Pittsburgh Distilling Co. Wigle Organic Single Barrel Straight Wheat
Silver — Pittsburgh Distilling Co. Wigle Organic Single Barrel Straight Rye
Silver — Pittsburgh Distilling Co. Wigle Whiskey Organic Pennsylvania Rye
Silver — Pittsburgh Distilling Co. Wigle Whiskey Deep Cut Rye
Bronze — Pittsburgh Distilling Co. Wigle Organic Pennsylvania Wheat Whiskey
Bronze — Mingo Creek Craft Distillers (Washington, Pa.) Liberty Pole Spirits Bourbon Whiskey
Bronze — Mingo Creek Craft Distillers Liberty Pole Spirits Rye Whiskey
Rum
Silver — Allegheny Distilling (Strip District) Maggie’s Farm Queen’s Share Double Oak
Silver — Allegheny Distilling Maggie’s Farm Single Barrel Rum
Bronze — Allegheny Distilling Maggie’s Farm White Rum
Bronze -— Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries (Shaler) BLY Rum
Bronze — Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries BLY Rum 105
Gin
Silver — Pittsburgh Distilling Co. Wigle Ginever
Vodka & Grain Spirits
Silver -— Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka
Silver — Quantum Spirits (Carnegie) Quantum Spirits Citrus Flavored Vodka
Bronze — Lawrenceville Distilling Co. Parking Chair
Forks Of Cheat Distillery in Morgantown, W.Va., won a Whiskey bronze with its Big Deal Rye.
“PGH did well again!” emailed Meredith Meyer Grelli, co-owner of Wigle, which has won prior numerous ACSA awards.
Tim Russell of Maggie’s Farm, which went five-forfive in the competition, noted, “It’s a nice community we’re putting together. Maybe it was just me, but it sounded like PA distillers were getting the loudest hoots and hollers.”
This year, entries were submitted from 38 states and the District of Columbia, and a judging panel awarded eight gold, 68 silver and 171 bronze medals, in addition to Best of Show and the Best of Class distinctions. For the full list of winners, visit https:// americancraftspirits.org /.programs/judging/ 2019-american-craft-spiritsawards.