NY TIMES - ON THE TRAIL OF PENNSYLVANIA’S ONE-OF-A-KIND WHISKEY

Mr. Stoll was widely considered among the best distillers in America, but after Michter’s closed he was so desperate for work that he ended up on a road construction crew. He never thought he’d go back to distilling, but in 2012 he met Erik Wolfe, who as a child lived near the Michter’s distillery, though he had only recently learned about the state’s whiskey history. Read Here.

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER - HISTORY & RESURGENCE OF ROSEN RYE

Before there were Philly cheesesteaks, there was Pennsylvania rye. In the 19th century, the strong, spicy whiskey developed a reputation that stretched coast to coast, as synonymous with the Keystone State as Kentucky and bourbon or California and wine…Rye has made a comebackin recent decades: It’s widely available and, for many bartenders, the go-to spirit for Manhattans and Old Fashioneds. But its Pennsylvania roots are often little more than a footnote. A network of farmers, distillers, and one particularly determined agriculture advocate/whiskey buff are working to change that. And they’re starting with the grain. -Jenn Ladd, Philadelphia Inquirer Read Here.

AMERICA JUST LOST ONE OF ITS GREATEST WHISKEY DISTILLERS

Dick Stoll, the last of the old-time Pennsylvania distillers, passed away on Aug. 13, 2020 at the age of 86. Though his name may be unfamiliar to many, he made significant contributions to American whiskey history. Read Here.

DISTILLING HEIRLOOM GRAINS AT A HERITAGE DISTILLERY

Thank you to Mark Gillespie of WhiskyCast for visiting George Washington's Distillery and Gristmill in Arlington, Virginia for our recent adventure and the opportunity to discuss Rosen Rye past, present and future. Listen to the episode for more about Mt. Vernon's Rosen Rye project and tasting notes on our Straight Rosen Rye (92/100pts).

DISTILLER MAGAZINE - RETURN OF ROSEN RYE

In 2016, I was asked to join this project, advising on the mashing and distilling, shared S&W’s 85-year-old master distiller, Dick Stoll. The last master distiller at Pennsylvania’s Michter’s distillery began as a ditchdigger, eventually trained by Charles Everett Beam to distill its bourbon and that of the A.H. Hirsch’s brand, among others, until it shuttered in 1990. During his tenure he witnessed the falloff of interest and use of Rosen, using it exclusively until it lacked sufficient supplies….I was able to taste what will soon be the first Rosen rye sold in half a century and, with a mash bill of 65% Rosen rye, intensely flavorsome it was! -David Furer, Distiller Magazine. Read Here.

CONDE NAST - STOLL AND WOLFE AMONG TOP PHILLY DAY TRIPS

Just off Lititz's main street, Stoll and Wolfe Distillery is proudly reviving the art of whiskey making in Pennsylvania. Stoll, an octogenarian, trained at Jim Beam in a now-shuttered nearby distillery, and Wolfe is the brains and engine behind the business, with youthful ambition and energy. Together, they’re making waves in the spirits world, and despite their small-town origins, they've been named one of the top three rye whiskeys in the U.S. Read Here.

WHISKEY ADVOCATE - GREAT RYE WHISKEY REVIVAL

Thank you to Chuck Cowdery and Whiskey Advocate for "The Great Rye Whiskey Revival" featuring Craft Distillers and their efforts to revive regional styles of Rye Whiskey. Always an honor to have Stoll & Wolfe mentioned alongside Dad's Hat Rye Leopold Bros. Kings County Distillery and Tuthilltown Spirits. Read the Story on Whiskey Advocate, Click Here.

TOP 3 FINISH SCORING 93/100 ULTIMATE SPIRITS COMPETITION

Stoll & Wolfe Blend of Straight Bourbon & Rye Whiskeys Scored a 93 "Excellent, Highly Recommended" in the Ultimate Spirits Competition, Finishing Top 3 in Category. “The pepperiness from the young rye in this blend brightens and spices the whiskey, making a medium-bodied dram that delivers rye toast, white pepper, crème caramel, and banana bread. Make into a stirred cocktail or enjoy on a large rock.” Read More Here.

WHISKEY WASH - PA WHISKEY SOMETHING TO TAKE NOTE OF

We know that Kentucky is all that when it comes to bourbon, but when it comes to whiskey history in general, the Bluegrass State is an upstart whippersnapper compared to Pennsylvania. And while corn is bourbon’s bosom buddy, in Pennsylvania, you’ve got to talk rye. The Pennsylvania farmers of the 18th century, the Scots-Irish, the Swiss-German, brought a distilling culture with them from their homelands and made do with the grains that grew best in their new grounds: rye being foundational. Read More Here.

LANCASTER CO. MAGAZINE - 250 YEARS OF LANCASTER COUNTY HISTORY

“Whether or not you’re a whiskey drinker, it’s difficult to imagine Lancaster’s countryside filled with rye fields and dotted with distilleries. Such a scenario existed during the 18th and early 19th centuries. According to an article read before the Lancaster County Historical Society in the 1920s, 183 distilleries had existed in Lancaster County in 1813…What was the reason behind the proliferation of distilleries? A need grew out an abundance of rye grain harvested across the region’s farmlands. Rather than let crops go to waste, farmers could preserve their rye yield and turn it into a tradable commodity, a currency by the gallon or barrel.” -Jordan Bush, Lancaster County Magazine. Click Here to Read More.

CONDE NAST TRAVELER’S - 3 BEST DAY TRIPS FROM PHILADELPHIA

“Just off the main street of Lititz, PA, Stoll & Wolfe Distillery is proudly reviving the art of whiskey making in Pennsylvania. Stoll, an octogenarian, trained with Jim Beam at a now-shuttered nearby distillery, and Wolfe is the brains and engine behind the business, with youthful ambition and energy. Together, they’re making waves in the spirits world; and despite their small-town origins, they've been named one of the top three rye whiskeys in the U.S. The tasting room, where you can sample the tipples that have earned them recognition, is just off the main street; it has an inviting ambience, with dark walls and exposed brick, where you're as likely to sit next to a spirits aficionado couple as you are a group of friends having fun.” Click Here to Read More.

STOLL AND WOLFE SCORES 95/100 IN ULTIMATE SPIRITS COMPETITION

Stoll & Wolfe Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey received a 95/100 "Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation" in the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. Tasting Notes: Bold and brash rye and cinnamon greet the nose on this craft whiskey. Dried apricot, thyme, and maple syrup join them. The palate is dominated by rich oaky flavors of brown sugar and toasted coconut, with wisps of vanilla and pear lingering on the tongue. Recognition as a "Finalist" and "Best Value" were also awarded. Click Here to Read More.

'BEAMING' WITH HISTORY - DICK STOLL & SYLVIA BEAM TALK PA WHISKEY

From The Beam Boys in Kentucky to PA Michter’s and now Stoll & Wolfe in Lititz - talking family, history and whiskey at Stoll & Wolfe Distillery. Honored and excited to play a small role in helping preserve Charlie Beam's legacy in Pennsylvania whiskey history.

"Charles was one of the ‘Beam Boys,’ as they were affectionately known,” Sylvia said proudly. Sadly, the facility fell into disrepair, and eventually closed its doors for good on Valentine’s Day in 1990. By the time the last barrel rolled off the line, the national landmark, which produced “The whiskey that warmed the Revolution,” was known as the smallest commercial distiller in America.

Trained by Beam, Dick Stoll, of Stoll & Wolfe whiskey of Lititz, was the final master distiller at Michter’s. And despite all he and Sylvia have in common, surprisingly, they only met recently for the very first time." Read more of Lititz Record's article here.

Thanks for taking the time to come out and discuss. We're honored to play even a small role in helping to preserve Charlie Beam's legacy, contributions to Pennsylvania Whiskey (Bourbon and Rye) and the knowledge he passed on to Dick Stoll.

BREAKING BOURBON - STOLL AND WOLFE TASTING NOTES

Stoll & Wolfe Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey is a mix of old and new. Created and distilled by legendary distiller Dick Stoll, this sweet mash rye is aged in 30 gallon barrels by the upstart Stoll & Wolfe Distillery. If the name Dick Stoll rings a bell, that’s because Mr. Stoll was the last master distiller at Pennsylvania’s Michter’s where he also distilled bourbon for the A.H. Hirsch Bourbon brand. He was trained by Charles Everett Beam who was the grandnephew of the legendary Jim Beam himself. Currently the Stoll & Wolfe Rye is mainly sold in the distillery tasting room in Lititz, PA. The bottle that was tasted is from Batch 1117.

Sweet notes of honey, vanilla, and orange rind lay on top of a large dose of rye grain. Beneath these lie distinct hits of corn and oak which come with the territory of this young whiskey. Rye and honey carry through to the palate and dominate the experience along with a dash of cinnamon. The sweet spiciness is mellowed out by the new oak layer that mingles with it. The finish brings about a lingering mixture of rye spice, honey, and hints of sweet orange and dry leather.

The old adage that there’s no substitute for experience clearly holds true as Stoll & Wolfe Pennsylvania Rye shows a ton of potential for such a young whiskey.  To read the full post click here.

"Is the Secret to Kentucky Bourbon Limestone Water?" BY LEW BRYSON.

"...I grew up in eastern Pennsylvania, and limestone bedrock literally poked up through the grass in my neighbor’s yard. Our well pumped water that was so hard you could taste it. They produced whiskey not far away, at a distillery that’s since closed down: the original Michter’s distillery, where they made the excellent whiskey that has become a legend under the A.H. Hirsch name.

Though the distillery has been closed for almost 30 years, the master distiller, Dick Stoll, still lives nearby. He’s more than 80 years old and in startlingly good health, and is helping a new distillery, Stoll & Wolfe, get started there. I asked him what made the water at Michter’s good for making whiskey.

“The alkalinity in it, as opposed to acid,” he told me. 'Everyone said that was better for fermentation. Much more than that, I can’t tell you, but it worked very well.' The new Stoll & Wolfe distillery will be using that same water..." Full Article Here.

PENNSYLVANIA DISTILLERIES CRAFT ROSEN RYE - Billy Penn Magazine

Honored to help play a role in returning Rosen Rye Whiskey to Pennsylvania. “Michter’s was a rare holdout in Pennsylvania…The last master distiller there was Stoll, who was trained by a descendant of Jim Beam and distilled what has been called “the best bourbon you’ll never taste.” That’s where he fell in love with Rosen rye.” Read the article here.

STEVE AKLEY AND ABV NETWORK INTERVIEW

Thank you to Colonel Steve Akley, Renee and Jeremy for the chance to talk Pennsylvania Whiskey. Click below for the full interview or click here.

AMERICAN MASH AND GRAIN INTERVIEW

“To understand Stoll & Wolfe, you need to know Dick Stoll. He’s something of a legend in the whiskey world, much to his bemusement. The first time someone came up to him with a bottle of his whiskey for an autograph, he genuinely thought he’d been set up for a practical joke. A member of the Silent Generation, Korean war veteran, and Pennsylvania whiskey distilling giant, Dick may be best known as the man who distilled the ultra-rare A.H. Hirsch 16 Year Old Reserve bourbon, regarded by some as one of the best whiskeys ever created.” Read Here