I am embarrased that I have not posted more about Wigle Whiskey here on IheartPGH.  Earlier this summer, the folks who own Wigle helped me to plan a tour and tasting of their fine facility as a going away party for a friend.  This was a tall order – I wanted the going away festivities to be something that would make my friend really want to stay in Pittsburgh.  Meredith, of of the family members that owns and operates Wigle, went above and beyond – the tour was fun, funny and educational – and a nice alternative to you usual going away happy hour.  And there was plenty of the happy hour spirits flowing – the tour starts with a cocktail and ends with a tasting.  Sign up at WigleWhiskey.com for an upcoming tour.  Tours fill up quickly.

But you don’t want to wait for the tour? Well you are in luck – the folks at Wigle are celebrating the whiskey rebellion with a free tar and feather party this Friday.

What does Wigle have to do with the Whiskey Rebellion?

Wigle Whiskey is named after Philip Wigle who was a key player in the Whiskey Rebellion. In 1794, Phillip Wigle defended his right to distill in a tussle with a tax collector. He unwittingly helped spark the Whiskey Rebellion, which pitted Pennsylvania distillers against George Washington’s troops.

Why Tar and Feathers?

Tarring and Feathering has historically been used to protest taxes in Europe and in America. During the Whiskey Rebellion, local tax collectors were tarred and feathered by Pittsburgh distillers. The distillers were living on what was considered the frontier and felt betrayed by their new government eastward. Pittsburgh was then the epicenter of American whiskey production and so was the hardest hit by the distillation tax enacted by Alexander Hamilton and George Washington.

Will there really be tar and feathers?

Think of it as a creative interpretation of tar and feathering – Wigle has invited the creative minds at the Mattress Factory, Attack Theater, Society for Contemporary Craft, Toonseum, Carnegie Library and the Carnegie Science Center to create a modern, safe, and presumably less messy  interpretation of tar and feathering.

Will I be able to drink whiskey at the event with out being tarred?

Yes!  The event is free and open to all. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase $5 whiskey cocktails and food from Pittsburgh food trucks, including the Pittsburgh Taco Truck, Franktuary and the Goodie Truck.

Wigle Whiskey Tar & Feather Party
Friday, Aug 24 from 6-9 PM
Wigle Whiskey Distillery, 2401 Smallman Street
Free Admission!
Facebook Event

Related articles

• Western Pennsylvania Whiskey Connections, Part II (eleventhstack.wordpress.com)
• From Waste to Wonderland (foxnews.com)