Production places
Connections to water sources, peat places, maltings, cooperages, warehouses and maturation sites. Uncertain connections are labelled.
No documented production places are linked to this distillery yet.
Erie Distillery
Overview of the Distillery
Erie Distillery is a post-Prohibition craft distillery and cocktail bar in Erie, Pennsylvania, located near Lake Erie and Presque Isle State Park. The venue produces a range of small-batch spirits and serves premium in-house cocktails while also carrying a selection of products from local brewers, distilleries, and wineries. The atmosphere is described as warm and inviting, and guests are encouraged to drop by to taste and buy bottles.
History
Erie Distillery presents itself as a post-Prohibition craft distillery and cocktail bar with a strong local rooting on the shore of Lake Erie. The distillery combines production of its own spirits with a cocktail bar, which has made it a gathering place for locals and visitors who want to taste new drinks or enjoy a cocktail after a visit to Presque Isle. The product stories draw on familial elements; for example, the Diamond Gin label is inspired by a 1920s tradition where a diamond ring was passed down in the Harkness family. In addition to its own production, collaboration and selection of local breweries, distilleries, and wineries are highlighted as part of the site's identity.
Ingredients and Production
The products show a blend of artisanal techniques and flavor approaches: the distillery produces a house-made vodka used as a base in several infused products, and they work with fresh ingredients in select releases, such as freshly pressed apple juice and cinnamon in Apple Pie Moonshine. The range includes neutral bases like vodka and white rum, spiced and flavored varieties such as Spiced Rum and Hot Pepper Moonshine, as well as classic spirit types like gin and a aged American Light Whiskey. The combination of production and a cocktail bar means that many of the spirits are developed with serving in cocktails as well as neat.
Aging and Barrel Types
The most concrete information about aging is that the American Light Whiskey is listed as 'aged 14 years'. There are no details provided about which barrel types, previous contents, or finish methods have been used. For other products, no specific aging is listed on the product pages; several of them are flavored or liqueur-like and based on house-made vodka or infusions.
Whiskeys
The range consists of a broad assortment of spirits: an aged American Light Whiskey (14 years), vodka, several types of rum (white, coconut, spiced), two varieties of moonshine (Apple Pie and Hot Pepper), Diamond Gin, and Limoncello. Several products are offered in multiple bottle sizes, and they are sold both in the bar and through the online shop. The range covers both neat bases for cocktails and ready-made flavored bottles, drawing on familial recipes and local collaborations.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Age | Barrel and Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Light Whiskey | American light whiskey | 14 years | Aged 14 years | Described as a smooth, mellow experience with a nostalgic nod to the Prohibition era; designed to work both in cocktails and served neat or on the rocks. Highlighted as a 'go-to' choice. | Current; Core range; Available in bar and via online shop |
Whiskey Style and Flavor Profile
The descriptions in the products point to a range spanning fruity and citrusy to spicy and smooth: Apple Pie Moonshine mentions freshly pressed apple juice and cinnamon, Limoncello emphasizes lemon as the main ingredient, and Spiced Rum notes a hint of vanilla along with other spices. There is also a recurring emphasis on a 'smooth' or velvety mouthfeel in the descriptions, including the whiskey.
Visit the Distillery
Erie Distillery functions as both a production facility and a cocktail bar, and the public is encouraged to drop by to taste the spirits, enjoy premium cocktails, and buy bottles. There is the possibility to order products online, and the bar highlights its location near Lake Erie and Presque Isle State Park as part of the visiting experience. Contact details and a phone number can be found on the site for practical inquiries.
Philosophy and Craft
Erie Distillery emphasizes craftsmanship and local roots: it is a post-Prohibition craft distillery that focuses on premium in-house cocktails, specially distilled spirits, and a selection from local producers. Family traditions and recipes are part of product development, and the bar's dual role as production site and gathering place is central to the values around accessibility and community.
Awards and Recognitions
- Award-Winning Spirits