Iron City Distilling releases first Bessemer bourbon after three-year wait

Iron City Distilling will release its first Bessemer Single Barrel Bourbon on Nov. 20. The spirit marks the first bourbon produced at the East Deer facility since it opened in 2023. The distillery will sell the bottling exclusively in its on-site gift shop.

President Peter Katz stated that the release caps three years of development. He noted that the team is eager to share the product. The bourbon was bottled from three specific barrels. Proof levels range between 115 and 117. Katz described the flavor profile as featuring caramel, nutmeg, vanilla, coffee grounds, and balanced oak notes.

Master distiller Matt Strickland led the project. The production used locally sourced ingredients in a four-grain mash bill. The mixture included corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley. Katz said Strickland prioritized balance in the final spirit. He described the result as having a harmonious blend of grain and oak flavors.

The bourbon release follows the recent launch of Bessemer Heritage Rye. That spirit became the first Bessemer whiskey available for year-round purchase. The distillery aimed to recreate a Pennsylvania rye style that disappeared before Prohibition. The team consulted whiskey historians and studied historical documents to identify specific distillation and maturation methods.

Strickland said the process involved re-evaluating standard whiskey making techniques. He noted that the final product tastes unlike other ryethes on the market. The Heritage Rye uses a mash bill of 50% raw rye and 50% malted rye. Both components are heirloom varieties of danko and rosen grown in Pennsylvania.

The production process mirrored 19th century methods using pot stills and chamber stills. The spirit matured in new high toast oak barrels with heavy char. Distillers used a traditional low entry proof of 101 to balance grain and wood characters. The barrels rested in a steam-heated warehouse where temperatures stayed above 70 degrees.

Iron City will host a ticketed event on Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. to precede the bourbon release. The gathering at the distillery in Creighton, Pennsylvania, will include a question and answer session with Strickland. Attendees will also enjoy a tasting and dinner. Tickets cost $103 and are available at icdistilling.com. The distillery plans to add more tickets as the date approaches.

Heritage Rye is currently bottled at 100 proof. It is available at the distillery gift shop and online. The spirit will also appear on shelves at certain Fine Wine and Good Spirits locations in the coming weeks. The Bourbon will join the rye in the gift shop on Nov. 20.