FIGHTING SPIRIT

MID-ATLANTIC | WHISKEY REBELLION TRAIL

By Kae Lani Palmisano

IN THE LATE 18TH century, spirit-makers throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland protested a whiskey tax that put their distilleries at risk and threatened their way of life. What is now known as the Whiskey Rebellion raged for several years, but it ultimately resulted in a region that celebrates the spirit.

The Whiskey Rebellion Trail (whiskeyrebelliontrail.com) stretches from

Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. Here are a handful of the best distilleries to visit along the way, according to USA TODAY’s 10Best:

TENTH WARD DISTILLING COMPANY Frederick, Md. To be as sustainable as possible, this woman-owned distillery focuses on sourcing from farms just outside of town. These raw ingredients give its whiskeys, seasonal liqueurs and other distilled spirits a distinctly local flavor. Tenth Ward Distilling is also home to the first Marylandmade absinthe . ▶ tenthward distilling.com

FREDERICK LIFESTYLE

MINGO CREEK CRAFT DISTILLERS

MINGO CREEK CRAFT DISTILLERS Washington, Pa. Mingo Creek Craft Distillers gets its name from a group formed in 1794 to protest the federal tax on distilled spirits . The Mingo Creek association , as the farmers called themselves, showed their unity by planting liberty poles throughout the county as symbols of dissent.

As an homage to the history of the Whiskey Rebellion and the role of local distillers, Mingo Creek has released Liberty Pole Spirits, a line of traditional offerings ranging from a light corn whiskey to a robust bourbon whiskey. ▶ libertypolespirits.com

1675 SPIRITS Eddington, Pa. As its name suggests, 1675 Spirits is focused on preserving the local area’s history. Its whiskeys are distilled using grains from the nearby Castle Valley Mill , which has been in operation since 1730. ▶1675spirits.com

ONE EIGHT DISTILLING Washington, D.C. In addition to its vodka and gin, this D.C.-based distillery produces small batches of experimental whiskeys, as well as classic bourbons and ryes. One Eight says its District Made straight rye whiskey is the first rye whiskey distilled and bottled in the nation’s capital since Prohibition. ▶ oneeightdistilling.com