Iron City Distilling in East Deer, Pennsylvania is marking a significant moment in its short but impressive history with a dual release that brings together two of the most anticipated offerings from the craft whiskey producer — its third Bessemer Rye Single Barrel release and a new book from the man behind the whiskey.
The event combines a limited bottle release with a book signing by Master Distiller Matt Strickland, whose new title, Whiskey: From Grain to Glass, is hitting shelves at the same time as the barrels he crafted. It's a rare occasion where a distillery's head distiller pulls double duty as both the featured author and the guy who made what's in the glass.
Two Barrels, Two Stories
What makes this release stand out from most single barrel programs is that Iron City isn't just putting one barrel forward — they're offering two distinct expressions side by side, each with its own personality and timeline.
Both barrels were made entirely in-house from 100% rye grain and bottled at barrel strength, meaning what goes into the bottle is exactly what came out of the cask, with nothing added and nothing diluted. That approach is a point of pride for the distillery, and it shows in how dramatically different the two barrels turned out despite sharing the same production foundation.
The Older Barrel: Two Years and Ten Months
The first barrel had the longer rest, spending two years and ten months in the warehouse before being deemed ready. On the nose, it opens with straw, orange peel, and cracked pepper — familiar rye territory that signals something with a bit of edge to it. The palate delivers on that promise, bringing cinnamon red hots, green peppercorn, and bay leaf into the mix. The finish is described as long and evolving, the kind that keeps changing as it sits and doesn't just disappear after the swallow.
This barrel is the kind of whiskey that rewards patience — both the distillery's patience in waiting for it to reach its peak and the drinker's patience in actually working through the glass rather than rushing to the next pour.
The Younger Barrel: Two Years and Four Months
The second barrel had a shorter stay in oak, clocking in at two years and four months, but that doesn't mean it came out underdeveloped. In fact, it took a noticeably different direction. The nose brings caramel and coffee grounds, which is a warmer, sweeter opening compared to the pepper-forward first barrel. The palate follows with rye spice and nutmeg, and then something unexpected shows up — a hint of bubblegum. It finishes with a subtle rock candy note that gives it an almost playful quality.
That bubblegum and rock candy combination might sound unusual for a rye whiskey, but it's exactly the kind of discovery that comes out of barrel-strength, single barrel production. When nothing is blended or adjusted, the quirks stay in, and sometimes those quirks are the most interesting part.
Limited Numbers, One Bottle Per Person
Iron City is releasing a combined total of 350 bottles across both barrels, priced at $75 each. Purchases are capped at one bottle per person, which is standard for releases of this size but worth knowing before making the trip out. The bottles are only available at the distillery's gift shop in East Deer — there is no online sales option for this release.
For anyone who has been tracking the Bessemer Rye Single Barrel program since its first release, this third installment represents another data point in understanding how Iron City's house style is developing. The spice-forward character has been a consistent signature, but the way that profile expresses itself through different barrel ages and maturation conditions is what keeps this kind of release interesting.
Strickland Steps Out From Behind the Still
The book signing adds a dimension to this event that separates it from a standard bottle drop. Matt Strickland, who has been the driving force behind Iron City Distilling's whiskey program since the beginning, is releasing Whiskey: From Grain to Glass through Amazon, with copies also coming to the distillery's gift shop.
Having Strickland on-site during the release gives guests something most bottle events don't offer — the chance to talk to the person who actually made the whiskey, and to walk away with a signed copy of his book alongside a bottle of what he produced. That combination of a craft release and a firsthand education opportunity is not something that comes around often in the regional whiskey scene.
The book's title says exactly what it covers. From the grain selection and mashing process all the way through to what ends up in the bottle, it lays out the full production picture. For anyone who has picked up a craft whiskey and wondered what actually separates it from a big-name commercial brand, Strickland's account from inside a working distillery is probably as close to a direct answer as it gets.
Iron City's Place in the Regional Whiskey Conversation
Iron City Distilling has been building its reputation one limited release at a time, and the approach reflects a clear philosophy — make whiskey the way you want to make it, release it when it's ready, and let the product speak for itself. The Bessemer Rye Single Barrel program is the clearest expression of that outlook.
Three releases in, the distillery has established that its rye program is not going to be predictable. The differences between these two barrels alone make that point plainly. Same grain bill, same distillery, same general production process — and yet two clearly distinct whiskeys. That's what single barrel production is supposed to do, and Iron City appears to be getting comfortable letting that variation exist rather than trying to chase consistency at the cost of character.
For craft whiskey drinkers in and around the Pittsburgh area, or anyone willing to make the drive to East Deer, this release makes a strong case for the visit. A limited rye bottled at barrel strength alongside a signed book from the distiller behind it is a fairly compelling reason to get out of the house.
More information on the distillery and its releases can be found at icdistilling.com.
