History

Holy Ghost Distillery is commonly referred to as Holy Ghost by its regular customers and is described as more than a distillery – they sell bottled spirits, offer handcrafted cocktails and unique Holy Ghost experiences. The distillery sits in the heart of the Pennsylvania Poconos in White Haven, PA, and builds on a history around the old house from 1883 and a series of later initiatives. According to the FAQ, the founders embarked on a journey in 2015 after a conversation in which John said: 'I can do better' and Janice replied, 'Yes' – and that became the launch of Holy Ghost Distillery. They have several brands (McNamee’s Black Irish for whiskies, Szczypkowski Vodka and Holy Ghost for the rest) and offer, among other things, distillery tours, tastings and private experiences. They also highlight that they were the first distillery in Pennsylvania to become a member of the Stave & Thief Society as an Executive Bourbon Steward. In addition to spirits and experiences they host dog-friendly events and partnerships such as Harvest Hosts for RV overnights.

The distillery describes itself as an integral part of the experience: they work with craftsmanship, small details and their own syrups – and they emphasize that they do not use commercially pre-made mixers, but make syrups such as brown sugar, blueberries, honey, lavender, cinnamon, and jalapeño in-house, taking time to craft balanced cocktails.

Production / Manufacturing

Holy Ghost Distillery produces a range of different spirits and uses a blend of traditional craft and small-batch production. They indicate that they do not malt their own grains – the grains are purchased pre-malted. They source from existing grain suppliers and mention Andy as a supplier in one of the FAQs. They age certain drinks in used bourbon barrels – for example apple brandy and rum, which often mature in used bourbon barrels. This ties into their notes about bourbon rules and the use of casks for other products.

The emphasis is on: - Making and using their own syrups (brown sugar syrup, blueberries, honey, lavender, cinnamon, jalapeño). - Not using commercially pre-made cocktail mixers – all cocktails are made on-site with their own ingredients. - Using used bourbon barrels for certain other products (e.g., rum and apple brandy). - Not producing their own barrels, but working with an external coopers partner for barrels. - Using pot-still production methods and a full process from fermentation to distillation and bottling.

The distillery also notes that they have three brands and that McNamee’s Black Irish is used for all their whiskies, while the Szczypkowski brand is handled by John and his family. They produce a range of products beyond whisky, including absinthe, apple brandy, vodka, gin, rum and various other spirits.

Practical aspects of production also include that they do not aim to be a traditional bar concept – they are a craft distillery with handcrafted cocktails, and they maintain seasonal opening hours for shared events and distillery tours. They produce and sell their products as branded bottles – not only on-site.

Products / Whisky Portfolio

Holy Ghost Distillery has three brands: - McNamee’s Black Irish (for all of their whiskies) - Szczypkowski Vodka & Flavored Vodka - Holy Ghost (for the rest of the products)

Under the product pages the following types of spirits are produced or sold: Absinthe, Apple Brandy, Bourbon, Vodka, Flavored Vodka, Flavored Bourbons, Gin, Rum(s) and Malt Whisky. In the description of their whisky portfolio, Bourbon and Malt Whisky are specifically mentioned as types of whisky produced. McNamee’s Black Irish is used for all whiskies, underscoring an integrated whisky portfolio around the Black Irish brand. It is also noted that they are proud to be America’s only official native spirit (bourbon) and that bourbon has special cask rules in their approach.

In addition, it is noted that they not only produce whisky, but also other forms of spirits and products in the same house – for example absinthe, vodka, gin and rum as well as agave spirits.

Visits / Experiences

Holy Ghost Distillery offers a range of experiences and events beyond regular hours: - Bourbon & Chocolate Pairings (60-75 minutes) – including tastings of McNamee’s Black Irish bourbons, Barley Whiskey and chocolate. - Smoked Cheese & Whiskey Workshop (60-75 minutes) – with six varieties of smoked cheese and bourbon tastings. - Become a Certified Bourbon Steward – issued by the Stave & Thief Society (Executive Bourbon Steward) and a certification course, including lunch. - Distillers Experience, Whiskey History 101, Whiskey Blending Lab, Mixology 101, Hands-on Mixology Workshop – interactive and instructor-led classes. - Distillery Tour & Tastings – Saturday tours in season and private tours, guided through the history and process with tastings of bourbon and other products. - Drunken Storytellers, Speakeasy Party – evening adventures around stories and themed evenings. - Private Professional Bartender (at your location) – bartending services off-site.

They also note that dogs are welcome in accordance with their dog-friendly policy – dogs must be on a leash and not on furniture; they describe a cozy atmosphere and several ways to experience the distillery – including a range of private events and on-site bartending.

Hours and bookings: Distillery Tours and Tastings are offered in the season from Memorial Day to Halloween; private tours and experiences can be booked via their booking page. There is also information about Harvest Hosts and RV Overnights, showing a wide range of guest experiences and on-site lodging options. For some events there are age requirements (21+ and over), and ticket purchases are final with the option to transfer to another person.

Philosophy

Holy Ghost Distillery emphasizes a commitment to craft and quality at every stage of their operation: - All cocktails are made from homemade syrups and ingredients – they say they do not use store-bought mixers and spend hours each week crafting what goes into their cocktails. - They describe themselves as a craft distillery operation, not necessarily a traditional bar, but focused on distilling, blending and guest experiences. - They stress using natural ingredients and less filtration to preserve flavor; they give details about sediment in whiskey and liqueurs as a result of minimal filtration and compare it to the traditional chill-filtration used by larger distilleries that removes some flavors for a clearer liquid. - They emphasize that they grow some of their herbs (mint, juniper, rosemary, etc.), but not necessarily all grains. They describe a deliberate approach to raw materials and preparation with respect to flavor and character. - They are proud to be Pennsylvania’s first distillery to join the Stave & Thief Society as an Executive Bourbon Steward and offer Certified Bourbon Steward courses – and emphasize that bourbon is a 'national spirit' in the USA. - They also highlight that they offer experiences and education (Mixology, Blending Lab, etc.) as part of their philosophy of sharing knowledge and experiences about spirits and cocktail history.

Responsibilities and Policies (excerpts)

• 21+ access to the entire facility; dogs are welcome on the exterior and in certain areas, but must be leashed.
• Reservations and tickets for events are final, and cancellations and changes are handled in accordance with their policy.
• Not all events require reservations, and walking tours are often available, but spaces can be limited, and private tours can be arranged by contacting them.

Address and Contact

990 State Route 940, White Haven, PA 18661 Tasting House and Distillery Office: 570-990-2673 Harvest Host & RV Overnights: 570-213-9358