Drink the Bottles

If you want something done right, do it yourself.  That's what "dad" said.  Founder and Distiller Herman Mihalich remembers those words like they were spoken yesterday and they resounded with him over and over.  It's only fitting that Mihalich had a dream of creating Dad's Hat Rye in the birthplace of rye whiskey - Pennsylvania because he too wanted to do things the right way.  And from what we can tell, they are doing just that. Small batch.  Hand crafted.  Local Ingredients.  These arent't just descriptors.  These simple words are the backbone of the business and Dad's Hat Rye doesn't use them lightly.  They take pride and care in creating a footprint in a fast-paced, busy and crowded world.  Their bottles are meant to remind you of kinder, gentler, optimistic times in America.   This bottle of  Dad's Hat Classic Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey is a flagship product in their portfolio.  If you don't appreciate this bottle...

  In a quaint house-turned-distillery (or world headquarters as the sign states) is a local Sewickley, Pennsylvania distiller who is producing local craft bourbon, whiskey and flavored moonshines.  Owner Kim McLaughlin follows his family's distilling traditions and pours his heart and soul into each barrel.  McLaughlin Distillery  will tell you up front that they aren't the biggest and they don't have the fanciest machinery.  But what they do have is a passion for making distilled spirits that represent this southwest Pennsylvania borough while using oak from the North to age their spirits. The 3799 Bourbon has a beautiful dense chestnut-orange color.  While we don't know the age statement of this bourbon, it is the distillery's most popular offering.  The nose presents chocolate covered almonds, green earth, vanilla and dark tea.  Swirling really opens this up and we tasted this neat.  In the mouth was almond crunch, hayloft earthiness, hint...