Still Doing It The Right Way
That was then (2012)
My Dad wore hats. Real hats. The kind you only see in old pictures or movies these days. He had a lot of hats. His favorites were Stetson fedoras, handcrafted in Philadelphia.
Before he left the house each day, he’d carefully choose one from the rack and don it. The hat always seemed to fit his mood—or the occasion—perfectly. My Dad’s gone now. But my mind somehow keeps coming back to those hats. People don’t really wear hats much anymore, I suppose. It’s become an affectation or a fashion statement. But in those days, it was something more. A symbol of optimism. That we cared about quality, polish and finish. A subtle, personal signature. From an era when taking the time to do it the right way mattered.
I founded Dad’s Hat because I, too, want to do it the right way. To take up a tradition. To make something that mattered. The old way. By hand, in small batches. Using only natural, local ingredients and the most careful methods. Dad’s Hat is made right here in Pennsylvania—the birthplace of Rye Whiskey—in honor of my father, who enjoyed rye whiskey and served it at the family’s tavern; and of that wonderful, optimistic time in America’s history when we made a lot of things and took care to make them well. My heart tells me that many of us are searching for that spirit again.
I believe Dad’s Hat Rye reflects that same simple, uniquely American personality better than any other whiskey. Crisp. Smooth. Delicious—not lingering or heavy-handed in its finish. Perfect for every occasion. After tasting Dad’s Hat, we hope that you feel the same.
By the way, I kept those hats. I still wear them. And you know what? They fit… Perfectly. —Herman Mihalich, Founder
Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey is located at the old Grundy Common’s textile facility on Canal St, Bristol. The small batches are being distilled locally on Canal St. The rye and other natural ingredients are grown locally on farms in Bucks and Lancaster counties.
Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania White Rye, 100 proof Whiskey is available at The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s online web store, www.finewineandgoodspirits.com. The darker rye whiskey is currently aging in quarter cask white oak barrels with an anticipated June release.
In the very near future Herman Mihalich and co-founder John Cooper will apply to get the necessary approvals to have Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey into state liquor stores, restaurants, and all over the Northeast.
This is now
Dad’s Hat has earned awards and bragging rights for their small batch distilled rye whiskey. They have since earned Craft Whiskey of 2015 by Whisky Advocate Magazine and Top 100 Spirits for 2015 from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. They are now in 20 states and 25 countries oversees. They still locally source the highest quality rye and work with glass bottlers and labelers located in Pennsylvania. They have expanded their operations from 6,000 to 10,000 square foot, hired employees and bought new equipment to meet the ever-increasing demand of doing it the right way.
BCEDC is assisting Mountain Laurel Spirits, LLC (MLS) with a loan from their Business Builder Fund to purchase new equipment. For more information about Dad’s Hat and Mountain Laurel Spirits go to http://dadshatrye.com.