Review: Liberty Pole x Dad’s Hat Rye Collaboration

Pennsylvania has a long and storied relationship with rye whiskey — one deeply rooted in rebellion, resilience, and grain. In 1791, Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, ever the champion of centralized power and elite financial interests, successfully lobbied for a federal excise tax on distilled spirits. It was a move aimed at paying down Revolutionary War debt, but in practice, it unfairly burdened small frontier distillers — especially those in Western Pennsylvania, where whiskey was more than just a drink. It was livelihood, barter, and community identity.

The result was the Whiskey Rebellion, an uprising that reached its boiling point in 1794. While most Americans today get little more than a paragraph about it in their history books, the rebellion was a full-fledged crisis that nearly brought a fragile new nation to the brink of civil war. The federal government’s response — sending in troops to crush the rebellion — marked one of the first real tests of federal authority in the United States. And yet, it also solidified Pennsylvania as ground zero for America’s whiskey legacy.

Rye whiskey in Pennsylvania has seen its share of glory days and dark years, even teetering on the edge of extinction in the 20th century. But in the past decade, the American whiskey boom has breathed new life into the state’s distilling traditions. Today, Pennsylvania rye is not just alive — it’s thriving. Leading the charge are two standout distilleries on opposite sides of the state: Dad’s Hat in Bristol and Liberty Pole in Washington.

Liberty Pole proudly leans into its rebellious roots. The distillery takes its name from the actual liberty poles that were raised by early American protestors as public symbols of defiance — the colonial equivalent of thumbing your nose at Hamilton’s tax collectors. Based in Washington, Pennsylvania, the heart of the Whiskey Rebellion, Liberty Pole makes no secret of its historical inspiration. Dad’s Hat, on the other hand, located in the eastern part of the state, doesn’t wear its defiance quite as loudly, but honors the rich tradition of Pennsylvania rye with every barrel it lays down.

Despite the distance between them, the two distilleries have long shared a friendly rivalry. Herman Mihalich of Dad’s Hat has often said that Liberty Pole makes the best rye west of the Alleghenies. Jim Hough of Liberty Pole fires back with a smile, saying Dad’s Hat makes the best rye east of the Alleghenies. It’s the kind of banter that could’ve easily stayed competitive — but instead, it led to collaboration.

In September 2025, the two distilleries released their first joint project: Liberty Pole x Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Straight Rye, a bottle affectionately dubbed “A Barrel-Strength Friendship.” This release is more than a blend — it’s a celebration of mutual respect, shared passion, and Pennsylvania’s enduring rye whiskey tradition.

Each distillery contributed three barrels to the project, creating nine possible blending combinations. Both teams conducted their blending trials independently, without sharing notes. Incredibly, they both landed on the exact same blend as their favorite — a choice that speaks volumes about their aligned visions and palates.

The Dad’s Hat component comes from a barrel filled on March 8, 2019, with a mash bill of 80% rye, 15% barley malt, and 5% rye malt. It was filled at 120 proof and aged for six years and four months. The Liberty Pole component was distilled on December 23, 2020, with a mash bill of 61% rye, 13% wheat, 13% malted rye, and 13% malted barley, filled at 108 proof and aged for four years and seven months. The final blend was bottled at cask strength — 119.6 proof — and yielded just 396 bottles.

This collaboration isn’t just a blending of spirits; it’s a blending of histories, philosophies, and craftsmanship from two of the most respected names in modern Pennsylvania whiskey. It’s also a reminder that while Hamilton may have imposed his will on the frontier with tax codes and troops, he couldn’t extinguish the independent spirit that still runs through Pennsylvania rye.

So what happens when East meets West in a barrel-strength alliance? Is the result greater than the sum of its parts? There’s only one way to know. Pour a glass, raise a liberty pole in spirit, and taste the legacy of rebellion, respect, and rye — distilled into a bottle of Pennsylvania history.

Liberty Pole x Dad’s Hat Rye Collaboration Review

The nose is instantly captivating — unlike anything commonly encountered in rye whiskey. It opens with the clear aroma of overly ripe and browning strawberries, teetering on the edge of fermentation, offering a sweet, slightly decaying fruit character that grabs attention. Quickly following is a sharp, saline note of green olives straight from the jar, brine clinging to them, adding a savory contrast that challenges expectations.

This opening combination is both provocative and polarizing. It poses a real question to the drinker: Are these aromas engaging in their unusual nature, or are they simply too far from the norm to be enjoyable? Regardless of where one lands, there’s no denying the impression it leaves — memorable, bold, and unforgettable.

As the nose settles, additional aromas begin to present: the deep sweetness of buckwheat honey appears, earthy and dense, balanced by a flash of lemon zest and a hint of dill. It’s a nose that resists easy categorization, encouraging pause and reflection.

Moving to the palate, the experience takes a more direct turn. The lemon zest hinted at on the nose bursts with intensity on the first sip, delivering an incredibly oily texture — almost like biting into a fresh strip of lemon peel. This thick, mouth-coating quality sets the tone for what follows: toffee and rye bread step forward with satisfying heft, and the dill from the nose makes a subtle but notable return.

The finish is classic rye in some ways, with black pepper providing a drying, spicy kick. Yet, it doesn’t end there — additional flashes of grapefruit and a delicate salted peanut note add further complexity and curiosity. It’s a finish that sticks around and shifts with each sip, encouraging repeated tastings to fully unpack.

This is, without question, one of the most unusual rye whiskeys I’ve encountered in recent memory. The palate is particularly strong — intense, oily, and packed with character — while the nose will undoubtedly be the dividing line for many. Its combination of briny olives and fermenting fruit is uncommon in rye but familiar to fans of funkier white rums, especially those from producers like La Maison & Velier.

With only 396 bottles produced and an $80 price tag, this release feels like a hidden gem for rye enthusiasts — particularly those who enjoy flavor profiles that challenge conventions. The palate alone justifies the price, and the aromatic profile, while perhaps not universally loved, offers a tasting experience that sparks curiosity and thought.

For those who appreciate the punch of heavily peated whiskies or the funk of high-ester rums, the whiskey may hit all the right notes. For others, it may lean more toward fascination than full enjoyment—but either way, this is a rye that won’t be easily forgotten.

119.6 proof.

A- / $80

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