Introducing Townie Whiskey: An Homage to Hometown Bars and the People Who Drink In Them

Introducing Townie Whiskey,?“whiskey for the townspeople”, debuting in three expressions - Regular Townie Bourbon Whiskey ($34.99), Fine Townie Rye Whiskey ($34.99), and First-Class Townie Bourbon Whiskey ($39.99). Townie Whiskey is procured and bottled by Bluebird Distilling and is available now in 50 Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores across Pennsylvania and ships direct to imbibers in 41 states via towniewhiskey.com.

This new line of easy-drinking whiskeys inspired by hometown bars and the regulars that fill them, is the brainchild of Jared Adkins, founder and owner of Bluebird Distilling.  An approachable and economic counterpart to his scratch-made craft spirits, Townie is an unpretentious whiskey line made to be perfect straight up or paired with a lager in a boiler maker or citywide. Adkins and his distillers hand selected barrels from some of the top rick houses in the country and blended each expression in order to deliver a high quality yet affordable product. Townie Whiskey was created with the local bar in mind and the “townspeople” that fill each barstool. Highly sippable, rich and flavorful, with a no-nonsense attitude adorned by a vintage-inspired label. 

“There is a time and place for craft whiskey, but I was looking to make something to complement our line of scratch-made spirits at Bluebird Distilling. Something more approachable in both drinkability and price point. We settled on making something for the townspeople that gives each hometown bar its spirit,” said Adkins. “Townie Whiskey is all about gathering together to celebrate simple pleasures – plus, with three expressions, there’s a Townie for every townie.”

Adkins and team have gone all-in on the Townie Whiskey line, going so far as to purchase and painstakingly restore a 1972 Chevrolet El Camino, which debuted as “Rick’s Ride” in the four minute long Townie Whiskey Short Film. 

Townie Whiskeys ships directly to “townspeople” in 41 states via towniewhiskey.com and can be found in 50 Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores across Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh townies can sip Regular Townie Bourbon Whiskey neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails at Helltown Brewing – with many more beloved local bars to follow. Information about each spirit below.

Regular Townie Bourbon Whiskey (84 proof, 750 ml, $34.99), blended with precision using whiskey from the finest North American distilleries, delivering a smooth, rich taste tailored for everyday enjoyment. Tasting notes inlcude vanilla, toffee, baking spice, light corn, and marshmallow. The liquid is aged 4-5 years in a Char 3 American Oak barrel and pairs well with light beer, jukeboxes, and vinyl bar stools. 

When creating Fine Townie Rye Whiskey (86 proof, 750 ml, $34.99) distillers handpicked barrels from North America’s most esteemed distilleries and delivered them to Bluebird Distilling to blend with care and precision. The resulting liquid is perfectly balanced spicy rye made for the people, by the people. Straight Townie Rye is a celebration of simplicity and quality, designed to be enjoyed by all.  With tasting notes of baking spice, leather, vanilla, toffee, Fine Townie Rye Whiskey delivers a smooth, rich taste tailored for everyday enjoyment and stands up in a simple Sazerac or served alongside a tall boy. 

First Class Townie Bourbon Whiskey (100 proof, 750 ml, $39.99) is the distinguished barrel select version of flagship Regular Townie Bourbon. First Class Townie is crafted from fine Bourbon Whiskey barrels selected from North American distilleries and blended at 100 proof for a richer, full body taste. Older than its counterparts, First Class Townie is aged for at least six years and has a palate of sweet corn, brown sugar, tobacco, and cinnamon. Enjoy with vinyl records, leather jackets, and bar nuts.

“We’re proud townies who enjoy a fancy cocktail but sometimes, after a long day, you really just need a shot and a beer.” Says Anthony Labresco, Townie Brand Ambassador and Official El Camino Driver.  “So, here’s to raising a glass to the local bar that put your hometown on the map!” 

Bars and bartenders looking to participate in Philly Dive Bar Week in January can sign up on the Townie website. More details to follow!