History

Origin

Robert Wilson, a visionary Irish immigrant, founded Wilson Distilling Company and Highspire Pure Rye Whiskey in 1823. Highspire was a 100 percent rye whiskey based on the finest rye and water from artesian wells on site at the original distillery in Highspire, Pennsylvania. The unique flavor and quality made Highspire the most popular whiskey of its time. If you drank whiskey in the pre-Prohibition era, you were likely sipping Highspire. It was famous for its purity and even prescribed by doctors as a cure. Unfortunately, Highspire disappeared after Prohibition was repealed... until now.

Between Prohibition and the Present

Prohibition is over, but the aftertaste lingers among whiskey enthusiasts. Whiskey production went underground, and distillation activities moved to Kentucky, removing the regional flavor profiles created by the water for each label. Although we cannot recreate the water from Pennsylvania, our mission has been to revive the essence of pre-Prohibition whiskey by reintroducing Highspire to the country.

Today's Highspire

Today, the seasoned winemaker Austin Hope has brought his expertise and passion for rye whiskey to create a new class of whiskey. Highspire brings back the classic flavor and experience of pre-Prohibition American rye whiskey to the modern connoisseur. We have set out to produce a whiskey with 100 percent rye mash using clean, cool water. The rye is grown at Waldeck Farm, which lies less than a mile from our distillery. It is a great honor to bring back the Highspire experience, and we believe Mr. Wilson would be proud.

Production / Manufacturing

Ingredients and Mash

Highspire Whiskey is produced with 100 percent rye as the grain mash. The unconventional grain ratio consists of about 90 percent unmalted grain, grown by a local farmer exclusively for Highspire, less than a mile from our distillery.

Water and Terroir

The water for Highspire is regarded as clean, clear, and cool, supporting the crisp character of 100 percent rye.

Aging and Processes

The whiskey is aged quickly in used American wine barrels from California, allowing subtle notes of oak and vanilla and creating a well-balanced, approachable whiskey without becoming oak-heavy. We use a proprietary blend of oak staves in our barrels to accentuate the flavor of 100 percent rye without diluting its original character.

Terroir and Control

Terroir is defined as the combination of soil, climate, and sunlight that gives the must its character; Highspire applies a similar approach to the water and soil conditions around Waldeck Farm and the distillation. Proprietary control through every step—from the farm to bottling—is part of our approach to maintaining detail and consistency.

Product Label

100% Rye / 80 Proof (40% ABV) / Swiftly Barrel Aged in California Wine Barrels / Distilled and Bottled by: Kindred Distilled Spirits / Crestwood, Kentucky, United States of America

Products / Whisky Series

Highspire Whiskey

Highspire Whiskey is made with 100 percent rye and is aged quickly in California wine barrels. It is described as a new class whiskey aimed at reviving the classic pre-Prohibition flavor in a modern context.

Visits and Experiences

Highspire presents a Farm to Bottle story through its website and videos that showcase Barrels, Farm, Distillery, and History. This underscores the focus on the entire production chain and the history behind Highspire.

Philosophy

Our philosophy is to preserve the essence of pre-Prohibition American rye by adhering to 100 percent rye, clean and cool water, and rapid, controlled aging in wine barrels to highlight the rye's character. We place emphasis on detail, consistency, and a farm to bottle approach, with Waldeck Farm delivering the grain close to the distillery.