Crafting Spirits and Memories at Lancaster’s Thistle Finch Distillery

A Spirited Journey: Exploring Thistle Finch Distillery

Just steps away from the heart of downtown Lancaster, there exists a hidden gem where the art of distilling is celebrated and nostalgia reigns supreme. Welcome to Thistle Finch Distillery, a rustic yet elegant escape that invites you to step back in time and immerse yourself in the world of handcrafted spirits.

Founded on a passion for reviving the lost traditions of distilling, Thistle Finch offers a truly unique experience. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or simply curious about the craft, this distillery provides a captivating journey through the history and processes behind their distinctive, small-batch offerings.

Upon entering the distillery’s tasting room, you’ll be transported to a bygone era. The space exudes a warm, inviting atmosphere, beckoning you to linger and savor the moment. Here, you can indulge in a classic rye whiskey cocktail, expertly crafted from Thistle Finch’s signature spirit. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, explore their range of specialty cocktails, each one infused with housemade concoctions that tantalize the senses.

For those who prefer to sip and sample, Thistle Finch’s knowledgeable staff is on hand to guide you through a tasting flight of their distinctive spirits. From their smooth vodka to their bold rye whiskey, each offering tells a story – one steeped in the distillery’s commitment to quality and attention to detail.

But the Thistle Finch experience goes beyond the tasting room. For those eager to delve deeper into the world of distilling, the distillery offers tours that provide an intimate look at the entire process, from grain to glass.

Crafting Tradition: The Art of Thistle Finch Distillery

It all begins with the grains themselves. Thistle Finch’s rye whiskey boasts a unique grain bill, comprised of 60% rye, 30% wheat, and 10% malted barley. An impressive 90% of these grains are sourced from local farms in Lancaster and Lebanon counties, ensuring a true connection to the region’s agricultural heritage.

The milling process is crucial, as it transforms the grains into a flour-like consistency, allowing for optimal conversion of starches into fermentable sugars. Unlike many other distilleries, Thistle Finch embraces a traditional method, leaving the grains in the mash throughout the entire process – a technique they believe enhances the final product’s flavor profile.

From there, the mashed grains undergo fermentation, a process that sees the sugars transformed into alcohol by hardworking yeast. Thistle Finch’s approach is both hot and fast, with temperature-controlled fermenters pushing the yeast to its limits over a three-to-four-day period.

The heart of the operation lies in the distillery’s hand-built 150-gallon pot still, modeled after traditional German hybrid stills. Here, Thistle Finch’s unique distillation method sets them apart. While many distilleries aim to maximize reflux and concentrate the whiskey, Thistle Finch intentionally de-tunes their runs, allowing the distillate to emerge at a lower average proof. This innovative technique eliminates the need for water additions prior to barreling, resulting in a remarkably smooth, full-flavored whiskey straight off the still.

The commitment to craft extends even to the bottling line, where every label is manually applied by dedicated volunteers, ensuring each bottle is as unique as the spirit it contains.

Beyond the distillery itself, Thistle Finch offers a range of experiences to suit every palate. The on-site Burley Bar & Restaurant serves up a tempting menu of fare, perfectly complemented by the distillery’s own cocktails and a curated selection of draft beers.