Holy Ghost Distillery & Tasting House

Brief overview of the distillery

Holy Ghost Distillery is located in Kidder Township in the Poconos and combines production of bourbons and American malt whiskey with rum, absinthe, gin and vodka. The place also functions as a tasting house and experience venue, where guests can participate in mixology classes, blending labs and private tastings led by the distillers. Visually and practically, reuse is a clear part of the site; much of the buildings and interiors are upcycled.

History

In 2016 Janice and John decided to start Holy Ghost Distillery, Inc. and soon after purchased the property known as "Homestead Commons" at 990 Route 940 in Kidder Township. They evaluated the old farm, cleared the grounds and began drawing plans for a distillery and a tasting room. The work included repurposing materials, installing a new floor (bamboo) and making furnishings from barrels, staves and rough-cut wood. Over time, production expanded to include Puerto Rican-style rum, spiced rum, a range of bourbons under McNamee’s Black Irish name, a 100% barley whiskey, an American malt whiskey, absinthe, and an apple brandy produced in collaboration with Deep Roots Cider. The distillery also established a garden of herbs and flowers, used in the absinthe and in flavoring other products.

Raw materials and production

Holy Ghost works with a range of raw materials: the distillery produces a 100% barley whiskey, several bourbons (including wheated, high rye, a 4-grain Distiller's Reserve, and a sweet corn variant), as well as rum in several styles. Absinthe is made with wormwood, anise and other herbs according to a recipe from the mid-1800s. In addition, flavored vodkas and bourbons are produced, as well as a barrel-aged agave spirit. The production includes infusion and flavoring processes, using barrel aging to influence the spirits (e.g., bourbon barrels for rum and brandy) and the use of their own cultivated botanicals such as mint, juniper, wormwood, rosemary, lavender and hibiscus in selected products.

Maturation and barrel types

The distillery uses bourbon barrels for aging and finishing; an example is the use of freshly dumped McNamee’s Black Irish bourbon barrels to mature apple brandy. Rum is also produced with bourbon-barrel aging in some variants. Experiments mention infusion of green apples for apple brandy and general use of barrel aging and infusions as part of product development.

Whiskies

The range includes absinthe in several variants (Blanco, Verte and Red), an award-winning Szczypkowski vodka, London Dry and Old Tom gin, a range of rums (Puerto Rican-style silver, spiced, bourbon-barrel aged and chocolate rum), a barrel-aged agave spirit, as well as bourbons under McNamee’s Black Irish name (Wheated, Distiller's Reserve 4-Grain, High Rye, Blue Label and Sweet Corn). There is also a 100% barley whiskey, an apple brandy developed in collaboration with Deep Roots Cider, and several flavored bourbons and vodkas (e.g., Blueberry, Blood Orange, Citrus). The products are marketed both for tasting on-site and through the shop's selection.

Whiskies' style and flavor profile

The flavor landscape covers several directions: malt and a pronounced sweetness are described for the distillery's malt whiskey, with notes of chocolate, fruit and a smoky element also mentioned. The absinthe carries herbal and anise-like tones from wormwood and other botanicals. Additionally there are fruity and sweet profiles in the flavored bourbons and vodkas. Taken together, this yields a range from malt and chocolate notes to fruitiness and herbaceous, buttery spice.

Visit the distillery

There is a tasting house with guided tours and tastings, as well as a range of bookable experiences: private bourbon tastings and tours led by a distiller, mixology and advanced mixology classes, a Whiskey Blending Lab where guests learn to nose and blend and take home their own blend, chocolate & spirits pairings, as well as after-hours events and campfire-dinner events by reservation. The distillery also offers private mobile bar services for external events. Many of these experiences require advance reservations.

Philosophy and craft

Holy Ghost blends craft and reuse: large parts of the buildings and interiors are upcycled, using materials such as barrels, barrel staves and reclaimed wood. The distillery’s work rests on its own herb garden for botanicals and a respect for historic recipes (especially in absinthe production). In addition, education and guest engagement through mixology and blending experiences are prioritized.

Sustainability

• Reuse and upcycling of building materials and barrels.

• Cultivation of their own herbs for use in products to reduce the purchase of external botanicals.

Awards and recognitions

• Gold Award (Szczypkowski Plain Vodka)