Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Hough.
Hi Jim, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Liberty Pole Spirits really began as a family passion project rooted in history, craftsmanship, and a love of whiskey. My wife Ellen and I had long been fascinated by the rich distilling heritage of Western Pennsylvania, particularly the story of Monongahela Rye and the role this region played in shaping early American whiskey culture. Around 2013, we attended a hands-on distilling class at MB Roland Distillery in Kentucky, and that experience really lit the spark. What started as curiosity quickly evolved into a serious vision for bringing authentic Pennsylvania whiskey back to prominence.
We founded Liberty Pole Spirits in Washington, Pennsylvania in 2016 as a true family business alongside our sons Rob and Kevin. From day one, our focus was on doing things the right way rather than the easy way. We use Pennsylvania-grown grains, sweet mash fermentation, double pot distillation, and traditional barrel aging in our five-story rickhouse, which is the only one of its kind in Pennsylvania. Over the years we have grown from a small startup distillery into what many consider one of the premier whiskey destinations in the state, with national recognition for our rye whiskey and hospitality program.
Today, Liberty Pole Spirits is more than just a distillery to us. It is a place that celebrates American history, local agriculture, craftsmanship, hospitality, and community. We are incredibly proud that what began as a family dream has grown into a respected brand with a loyal following, while still remaining deeply hands-on and family operated every step of the way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road, although that is probably true for most small businesses, especially in the craft spirits industry. One of the biggest challenges with whiskey is the long time horizon. You spend years making, aging, and storing inventory long before you ever generate revenue from it. That requires a tremendous amount of patience, planning, and faith in your vision.
Like many small businesses, we also faced the normal growing pains of scaling operations, managing cash flow, navigating regulations, building a team, and adapting to changing market conditions. More recently, the whiskey industry as a whole has experienced a slowdown after several years of explosive growth, which has created additional pressure throughout the craft distilling world.
At the same time, many of our greatest challenges have also become some of our greatest strengths. We chose early on to focus on quality and authenticity rather than shortcuts. Using sweet mash fermentation, traditional pot distillation, longer aging, and Pennsylvania-grown grains is not the easiest or cheapest path, but we believe it is what sets our whiskey apart.
Personally, one of the most rewarding parts of the journey has been going through it together as a family. There have certainly been stressful moments, but building something meaningful with Ellen, Rob, and Kevin has made the challenges worthwhile. Seeing Liberty Pole Spirits grow into a nationally recognized whiskey destination while staying true to our values has been incredibly gratifying.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Liberty Pole Spirits is a family-owned craft distillery located in Washington, Pennsylvania that specializes in authentic grain-to-glass whiskey production, with a particular focus on reviving the historic tradition of Monongahela Rye Whiskey. Everything we produce is deeply rooted in Pennsylvania whiskey heritage, local agriculture, and traditional production methods. We use Pennsylvania-grown grains, sweet mash fermentation, double pot distillation, and full-size 53 gallon barrel aging in our five-story rickhouse, which is the only one of its kind in Pennsylvania.
Over the years, we have become especially known for our rye whiskey program. Our Peated Rye and Old Monongahela Full Proof Rye have received significant national recognition, including Rye Whiskey of the Year honors and placements on several top American whiskey lists. At the same time, we have worked very hard to create more than just a distillery. We wanted Liberty Pole Spirits to become a true destination experience. Our colonial-inspired tasting room known as the Meetinghouse combines craft cocktails, scratch-made food, immersive tours, whiskey education, and hospitality in a warm and welcoming environment.
What truly sets us apart is that we are still completely family-operated and intensely hands-on in every aspect of the business. From distillation and blending to hospitality and customer experience, our family remains directly involved every day. We have never tried to take shortcuts or chase trends. Instead, we have focused on authenticity, quality, and creating products that genuinely reflect Western Pennsylvania’s whiskey heritage.
Brand-wise, I am probably most proud that Liberty Pole Spirits has developed a loyal and passionate following while maintaining an excellent reputation for both whiskey quality and hospitality. We are proud of the awards and recognition we have received, but even more proud that people consistently feel welcomed when they visit us. At the end of the day, we want readers to know that Liberty Pole Spirits is about far more than just making whiskey. It is about craftsmanship, history, family, community, and creating memorable experiences that bring people together.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I think the most important quality behind our success has been authenticity. From the very beginning, we have tried to stay true to who we are, the history we represent, and the type of whiskey and experience we wanted to create. We never approached Liberty Pole Spirits as simply a business opportunity. It was always about building something meaningful and genuine that reflected our family values, our region’s heritage, and our passion for craftsmanship.
That authenticity influences everything we do, from the way we make whiskey to the way we treat customers. We have always believed that people can tell when something is real. Whether it is using traditional production methods, sourcing local grains, spending extra years aging whiskey, or personally interacting with guests in our tasting room, we try to create an experience that feels personal and sincere rather than manufactured.
I also believe perseverance has been critical. The whiskey business requires patience because success does not happen overnight. There have been challenges and periods of uncertainty along the way, but we remained committed to long-term quality and consistency rather than short-term shortcuts. That mindset has helped us steadily build trust with customers, industry professionals, and the broader whiskey community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://libertypolespirits.com
- Instagram: @libertypolespirits
- Facebook: @libertypolespirits
- Twitter: @libpolespirits
