Western Pennsylvania was an epicenter for American whiskey production during the 1700s and 1800s. After punching out a tax collector, local distiller Phillip Wigle became legendary, sparking what became known as “The Whiskey Rebellion.” 2011 Wigle helped pass legislation allowing distilleries to sell directly to consumers. Today, the Wigle Whiskey Distillery operates in the Strip District and is ranked among the top 10% of craft distilleries nationwide.
Origins
The Wigle Whiskey Distillery is named after Phillip Wigle, who led Pittsburgh’s Whiskey Rebellion tax protest in the 1790s. The distillery opened in 2011, reviving Pittsburgh’s two-hundred-year whiskey tradition. It is now a family-owned and operated business in the Strip District and Ross Park Mall. The distillery produces organic spirits using regional grains and has won multiple awards, including being selected as a James Beard Semi-Finalist.
Distillery
Wigle Whiskey and Threadbare Cider are produced at the distillery in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. The distillery offers tours, bar/restaurant services, and a mini-museum. It is considered one of the premier operations of its kind in North America.
Tasting Room
Wigle Whiskey revived Pittsburgh’s whiskey tradition in 2011 as the first direct-to-consumer craft distillery in Pennsylvania since Prohibition. The family-owned and operated business offers tours, flights, cocktails, and local spirits distilled from organic regional farms. The distillery’s tasting room also serves a menu of bar snacks and main dishes, and catering services are available for events.
Events
Wigle Whiskey is a landmark distillery that has revived Pittsburgh’s whiskey tradition. Visitors can tour the distillery, visit the restaurant and mini-museum, enjoy drinks at the Barrelhouse, and purchase spirits. Wigle supports regional agriculture and sources its grain from nearby farms. They have also partnered with the Heinz History Center to create Prohibition Rye whiskey for an exhibit.
About the People
Meredith Meyer Grelli is the co-founder of Wigle Whiskey and creator of the Whiskey Rebellion Trail. She has been named a James Beard Semi-Finalist and is a recognized figure in the industry.
Michael Foglia is the Product Development and Innovation Lead for both Wigle Whiskey and Threadbare Cider. He brings a keen sense of curiosity and love for culinary experiences to his role, focusing on cultivating relationships with suppliers and creating new product lines.
Allison leads Wigle Whiskey’s national and distributed market institutional programs. She is passionate about traveling, dining out with friends, and sharing Pittsburgh’s story through whiskey markets across America.
