The whiskey didn't last long on the shelves at Iron City Distilling. In fact, it barely touched them.
When the East Deer distillery released its first-ever Bessemer Rye Whiskey on December 19, the bottles sold out so quickly that the company immediately scrambled to line up another release. Now, just weeks later, whiskey enthusiasts who missed out the first time around are getting an unexpected second chance.
Iron City Distilling announced it will hold another online sale this Friday, rolling out not one but two single-barrel releases simultaneously. The accelerated timeline represents a significant departure from typical distillery release schedules, which often space out limited editions over months or even years.
"After seeing how fast our first release sold out, I felt we had to get another release out right away," said Peter Katz, president of Iron City Distilling, in a statement about the decision to fast-track the second drop.
The rapid response speaks to both the demand for locally-produced spirits and the distillery's confidence in what Master Distiller Matt Strickland and his team have created. The Bessemer Rye holds particular significance as the first drink produced completely at the Iron City Distilling facility from start to finish, representing a milestone for the operation.
Two Barrels, Two Choices
Friday's release differs from the inaugural drop in one key way: buyers will have options. The distillery is simultaneously releasing two distinct barrels, each with its own character and specifications.
Barrel 278 has been aging for 2 years and 8 months and clocks in at 109.4 proof. Its slightly younger sibling, Barrel 288, aged 2 years and 7 months, comes in at 107.6 proof. Both follow the same production philosophy as the first release, made entirely from Danko Rye and bottled at barrel strength without dilution.
The choice between barrels gives serious whiskey drinkers something to think about. The extra month of aging in Barrel 278 and the higher proof point could translate to different flavor experiences, though both barrels share the same fundamental DNA.
Katz credited Strickland and the distilling team for their ability to deliver on such short notice. "Matt and his team did not disappoint as they found not just one, but two barrels that are ready to be enjoyed," he said. "Their hard work and dedication to historic methods is paying off with such beautiful whiskies. We are excited to share these releases with you."
The Rye Behind the Hype
What makes Bessemer Rye worth the chase? According to the distillery's tasting notes, the whiskey presents a complex profile that unfolds in layers. The nose offers pepper and citrus up front, backed by deeper notes of rye bread, marmalade, and oak.
On the palate, the spirit shifts gears into vanilla and caramel territory, with warm baking spices threading through the middle. The finish stretches out long and balanced, the kind of conclusion that keeps you coming back to the glass.
The 100% Danko Rye composition sets Bessemer apart from many commercial ryes, which often blend multiple grains. Using a single rye variety allows the grain's natural characteristics to shine through without compromise. The barrel-strength bottling means drinkers get the whiskey exactly as it came from the cask, undiluted and unfiltered.
That aging period of roughly two and a half years might seem short compared to some established brands, but many craft distillers have found that smaller barrels and temperature fluctuations in Pennsylvania's climate can accelerate maturation. The proof is ultimately in the bottle, and the first release's reception suggests Strickland found the sweet spot.
Limited Quantities, Online Only
The distillery will release 350 bottles total across both barrels in Friday's sale. That number might sound substantial, but it represents a fraction of what major whiskey brands push through distribution channels in a single day.
This time around, Iron City Distilling is handling the entire transaction online through its website. Buyers will need to visit icdistilling.com to secure a bottle, with options for either pickup or delivery. The online-only approach likely helps the distillery manage demand and prevent the kind of chaotic in-person scenes that sometimes accompany limited whiskey releases.
For those who struck out on the first release, the distillery's quick turnaround offers redemption. But the limited quantity means Friday's sale could mirror December's rapid sellout. The company's characterization of the first release as a "rapid sellout" suggests bottles disappeared in hours or possibly even minutes rather than days.
A Milestone for Local Distilling
The significance of Bessemer Rye extends beyond just another product launch. For Iron City Distilling, this represents the culmination of years of preparation, investment in equipment, and the patient work of aging spirits while waiting for them to reach maturity.
Many distilleries start by sourcing aged whiskey from larger producers while their own barrels mature, a practical necessity given that whiskey production requires years between distillation and sale. The ability to release a completely in-house product marks Iron City Distilling's transition from a startup to an established producer with proven capabilities.
The choice to honor the historic Bessemer name connects the whiskey to the region's industrial heritage. The Bessemer process revolutionized steel production in the nineteenth century, and the borough of Bessemer in Lawrence County still carries that legacy. Linking a modern craft product to that history creates a narrative that resonates with local pride.
Strickland's adherence to "historic methods," as Katz described it, suggests a production approach that favors traditional techniques over shortcuts. In an era when some producers rush whiskey to market using artificial aging tricks or flavor additives, there's growing appreciation for distillers who let time and oak do their work naturally.
What Comes Next
The question now becomes whether Iron City Distilling can sustain regular releases or if Bessemer Rye will remain an occasional treat for the lucky few who manage to snag bottles. With Friday's release pulling from barrels 278 and 288, and the first release presumably from an earlier barrel number, the distillery clearly has multiple casks approaching readiness.
The two-and-a-half-year aging window means barrels filled today won't reach maturity until late 2027. But if the distillery has been consistently filling barrels over the past few years, a pipeline of aging whiskey could support more frequent releases going forward.
For now, whiskey enthusiasts have one clear mission: be ready when Friday's sale goes live. Missing out twice on the same release would sting considerably more than missing it once. And with only 350 bottles available and proof that demand far exceeds supply, hesitation will likely mean disappointment.
The Bessemer Rye's early success also signals broader trends in American whiskey culture. Drinkers increasingly seek out local distilleries producing distinctive spirits with strong ties to their communities. The days when whiskey meant choosing between a handful of Kentucky giants are long past. Regional distilleries like Iron City are carving out space by offering products you can't find anywhere else, made by people you can actually meet.
Whether Barrel 278 or Barrel 288 proves superior will ultimately come down to personal preference. Some drinkers prefer higher proof for the intensity it brings, while others might find the slightly lower proof of 288 more approachable. The eight-month age difference, while measurable, may be subtle in the glass compared to the inherent variations between individual barrels.
Either way, both represent the same fundamental achievement: a completely homegrown Pennsylvania rye whiskey that sold out its first release in record time and generated enough buzz to justify an immediate encore. That's the kind of momentum any craft distillery would envy, and it suggests Iron City Distilling has found a formula worth repeating.
