New Liberty Distillery, Philadelphia’s home for revered craft spirits, is thrilled to announce the official launch of The Tasting Room – a brand new whiskey bar and lounge, complete with an extensive cocktail program to match (barrel-aged cocktails, anyone?).

The Tasting Room will open to the public this Friday, January 27, with hours of operation spanning Fridays and Saturdays from 4 – 10 pm, with Happy Hour available Fridays from 4 – 6 pm, as well as Date Night Cocktail Classes offered every Friday in February.  

After a stylish renovation marked by plush armchairs, ornate rugs, warm lighting and plenty of original hardwood flooring, the brand-new Tasting Room is now prepped to serve up tray-fuls of Barrel-Aged Cocktails, whiskey flights and much more to whiskey nerds and cocktail connoisseurs alike — all year round.  Previously, the space was only open for private tastings, distillery tours, as well as other private bookings like bridal showers, while the outdoor cocktail garden has become known as a neighborhood staple during the warmer months. 

“We’re excited to welcome people to pull up a chair or barstool and dive into our impressive list of craft spirits and cocktails in the burgeoning neighborhood of South Kensington,” Founder and Master Distiller of New Liberty Distillery, Robert Cassell.  “The beverage program offers something for everyone – from classics to riffs like the Barrel Aged Rob Roy.” 

Inside the Tasting Room, while bellied up to the cozy eight seat bar or sinking into one of many plush leather armchairs, guests can choose from 20+ whiskies to sip neat, on the rocks, or in flights (ranging from $11 – $18), or peruse the extensive cocktail menu that features a bevy of unique sippers, including libations ranging from barrel-aged to fat-washed to zero-proof and more. Showstoppers include the Barrel Aged Rob Roy ($14), made with Kinsey Scotch, house made Sweet Vermouth, American Picon, and orange bitters and aged for three months, as well as the Black Sunshine ($12), comprised of fat-washed, lime zest-infused Kinsey Bourbon, dark rum and Demerara Sugar, club soda, with a float of Crème de Violette and molasses bitters, and a Royale Old Fashioned ($25), comprised of Kinsey Fifteen Year American Cask Strength Whiskey, bitters, Absinthe drip, Victory Golden Monkey Cordial, orange and cherry, chilled over hand cut ice. 

See the full beverage menu spanning cocktails courtesy of Jacob Looney, Director of Visitor Experience, as well as New Liberty Distillery’s ALCO Canned Cocktails, local beer and cider, and light snacks below.  

COCKTAILS 

Barrel Aged Rob Roy ($14) — Kinsey Scotch, House made Sweet Vermouth, American Picon, Orange Bitters   **Aged for 3 months  

Barrel Aged Queen’s Park Swizzle ($12) — Dreadnought Dark Rum, Overproof Rum, Lime, Demerara Syrup, Mint, Bitters **Barrel Rested Four Months 

Black Sunshine ($12) — Fat-washed Lime Zest infused Bourbon and Dark Rum and Demerara Sugar, Club Soda, and a float of Crème de Violette and Molasses Bitters 

Burnout ($12) — Smoked Tequila, Pepper Agave Syrup, Grapefruit and Lime Juice, Soda Water 

Pushing Daisies ($14) — Milk Punch made from Kinsey Rye, American Picon, Grenadine, Orange and Lemon Juice, with a float of red wine 

Seafoam ($12) –Vanilla Vodka, Crème de Coconut, Matcha 

Caipirinha ($12) — Cradle of Liberty Tequila & Cane Neutral Spirit, Muddled Lime, Super Fine Raw Sugar 

Creole Cocktail ($16) — Bottled in Bond Millstone Rye, House Sweet Vermouth, American Picon, Cola and Honey Syrup, Lemon Peel Chilled Over Hand Cut Ice 

Dutch Nog ($12) — American Single Malt Whiskey, White Birch Egg Nog, Nutmeg 

Royale Old Fashioned ($25) — Kinsey Fifteen Year American Cask Strength Whiskey, Bitters, Absinthe Drip, Monk Fruit Molasses, Orange & Cherry, Chilled Over Hand Cut Ice

ZERO PROOF COCKTAILS 

Young Fashion ($6) — Spiced Barley Tea, Brown Sugar, Ginger, Lemon and Orange Peel 

Lucky Lavender ($5) — Lavender Syrup, Lemon Juice, Club Soda

CANNED DRINKS 

ALCO Ready to Drink Cocktail ($7) – Flavors: Margarita, Sparkling Lemonade, Vodka Soda, Gin and Tonic, Orange Crush 

Escape Goat Seltzer ($6) – Flavors: Black Cherry, Mango, Orange, and Grapefruit Crush 

Rotating local brews and cider ($6)

SNACKS & BITES

Poor Man’s Beef, Bean, and Bourbon Chili ($5) 

Middleswarth Chips ($1.50) 

French Broad Chocolate Bar ($4.99) 

Shane’s Confectionary Chocolate Bar ($10) 

The distillery is also pleased to announce the return of Happy Hour, now offered each Friday from 4 – 6 pm, featuring highballs and rickeys, cocktails, ALCO Canned Cocktails, Escape Goat Seltzers, local beer and cider, and a citywide, which comes with a shot of Linfield Whiskey and any beer ($6). See highball, rickey and cocktail offerings below. 

HAPPY HOUR HIGHBALLS AND RICKEYS

Churchill ($7) — Scotch, soda, bitters 

Gardeners G&T ($6) — Gin, elderflower tonic, orange 

North American Highball ($6) — Linfield Whiskey, birch beer, lemon  

Cramps ($7) — Rum, lime, cola

HAPPY HOUR COCKTAILS

Kinsey Old Fashioned ($8) — Kinsey rye whiskey, bitters, spice syrup, orange peel 

Three sip daiquiri ($8) — Dreadnought pot still rum, lime juice, simple syrup 

Espresso Martini ($8) — Cold brew vodka, vanilla vodka, espresso concentrate

Every Friday in February, from 7:30 – 9:30 pm, couples are invited to an evening of romantic cocktail education at New Liberty Distillery’s Date Night Cocktail Classes – Tickets for the first installment, dubbed Nightcaps and Aphrodisiacs, are available online now for $55/person. Admission includes a welcome cocktail, a guided demonstration on how to create two signature cocktails (including a Cacao Black Manhattan) and light bites. 

In addition to the seasonally rotating cocktail program, soon-to-be-announced cocktail classes, speakeasy nights, distillery tours, cornhole leagues, and quizzo hosted by the team of distillers, mixologists and spirits experts at New Liberty Distillery, guests can also expect collaborations with other local business including Monarch Yoga, live jazz and other concerts from SoFar Sounds, and more.  

New Liberty Distillery is located in the vibrant South Kensington neighborhood at 1431 Cadwallader St., just minutes from Center City.

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