History

After 25 years of work restoring and remodeling early American old farmhouses and an eight-year spiritual odyssey with the restoration of an 80-year-old Alaskan wooden fishing boat, the interest in old trees and craftsmanship evolved into a fascination with distillation. This love of Hewn- and old wooden objects inspired Hewn Spirits to experiment with how different old and even extinct tree species affect aging and the character of spirits. The idea developed into examining the effect of different tree species on spirits and the so-called “spirit” or essence behind aging.

Their philosophy is to let the wood shape the spirits in their portfolio and to utilize recycled wooden casks, especially bourbon barrels, in search of a unique flavor profile. They often refer to the approach as “the true spirit of wood™”.

Production and Local Focus

Hewn Spirits emphasizes locally produced ingredients and a close connection to the local community. Grain is grown largely near the mash and distillation, and after use the waste is donated to local farms. Their grain is milled in an 1800s Bucks County grist mill, and the by-products are reused in local agriculture. Additionally, a portion of the profits goes to local charitable organizations that work locally for positive development.

Production / Manufacturing

• The grain is locally grown and milled at an old Bucks County grist mill, and the remainder of the process follows a circular approach in the local community, where waste nourishes animals and local food producers.
• Shipmate Heritage Rum and Shipmate Gold Rum are aged in Hewn's used bourbon barrels and are part of the portfolio, but they are not whiskies.
• Reclamation American Single Malt Whiskey is aged in new American charred white oak barrels and finished with wood from three physical tree species, including hickory, walnut and oak, and in some cases wood up to 300 years old.
• Denali Vodka is produced as a grain-based vodka (six times distilled, filtered through activated charcoal and finally through 200-million-year-old Alaskan river stone), which is not whisky, but part of their overall range.
• Part of their philosophy is “The Spirit of Wood” and that roughly 60–80% of a stored spirit's character comes from the wood it rests in.

Products / Whisky Series

• Red Barn Rye Whiskey – 40% ABV (80 proof). A rye-based whiskey crafted from selected Pennsylvania rye, corn and malted barley; dry, spicy and with a nod to the iconic, hand-hewn red barns in Pennsylvania.
• Dark Hollow Pennsylvania Bourbon Whiskey – 47% ABV (94 proof). A blend of traditional corn, malted barley and rye—coarse yet smooth American bourbon inspired by the water quality of Bucks County.
• Reclamation American Single Malt Whiskey – 55% ABV (110 proof). Aged with wood from trees up to 300 years old, following a maturation process starting in new American charred white oak barrels, then Hewn's used bourbon barrels, and finished with woods such as hickory, chestnut or oak (from very old timbers). The result is described as especially soft, full-bodied and complex – “the true spirit of wood”.

Visit / Experiences

• The Tasting Room is located in Peddler’s Village, New Hope, PA: 42 Peddler’s Village. Hours vary by season, but generally the Tasting Room is open daily with special weekend hours.
• Offers Craft Cocktails & Tasting Flights, private events and group tasting experiences in the tasting room.
• Cocktails: sample menus such as BMT, RyenoT, Avalanche, Navy Grog, Moonshine Mule and Moonshine Mary. Tasting flights include three samples and can be customized with different product combinations.
• Possibility for private events and groups with different bar-tab options, as well as small snacks and the option to bring outside food.
• Shop & Sip concept in Peddler’s Village allows cocktails-to-go and to explore the area at the same time.

Philosophy

• Circle of local life: the grain is locally grown; the grain is milled and reintegrated into the local network; by-products feed local farms and help support local food stands and food actors.
• Local philanthropy: a portion of the profits goes to local nonprofit organizations and specialized charitable causes that support people who work at sea (Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps-focused causes as well as boat-related nonprofits).
• Focus on using wood, including 300-year-old wood from old structures in the Reclamation production, to preserve historic casks and to express “the true spirit of wood” in their spirits.