Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Welch.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Tall Pines is a family owned and operated distillery. Producing and bottling Moonshine, Whiskey, Rum, Bourbon and Amaretto. Located in the mountains of southern Pennsylvania the distillery property sits among a forest of Pine trees, and supports the rustic charm and character of the distillery itself. You may sit in the old west saloon and sip on a smoked Old Fashion made with Tall Pines Maple Rye whiskey or have a Huckleberry lemonade, a signature favorite. The outdoor bar called Copperhead gives off a beachy vibe amid the country setting with covered pavilion and open deck seating.
Tall pines prides themselves in making all products, using local grains and natural flavoring.
Keith and Lisa decided that after years in the construction business (Keith) and years in the insurance business(Lisa) they needed to find a niche business that they could build and hand over to their sons Josh and Jake. Josh already worked in the medical industry and Jake was in nursing school. Both came on full time during Covid and Jake (27) is now the Master Distiller and Josh (35)is the bar manager and works sales.
The distillery is open 7 days a week offering sampling, tours, cocktails, bottle sales and food. Weekend entertainment includes live music and Belt Sander Racing. Yes, you read that correctly. Belt Sander Drag racing is held the first and third Sunday of every month during the spring and summer. We do call ourselves “a Different Class Of Hillbilly”
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We live in a conservative area (very religious with high concentration of Amish). We didn’t know how the distilling business was going to be perceived so we started out small. Many of those people do not support us but we have grown tremendously and have a solid customer base that keeps on growing. Even the ones who are not patrons respect us in the community, and admire the business we have built.
Our area is great for tourism and we have people visit from all over the USA and other countries. Its been fun to meet so many different people and as you know, everyone has a story!
Even after 10 years in business we still struggle financially at times. Distilling is not a cheap business to start. Most bottles are manufactured outside the U.S. and a lot of the needed equipment does too. Good ingredients are expensive and shipping costs and tariffs have at times tripled the bottom line on orders. There are very few, if any incentives for small businesses like us. We do not have any investors.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We use the term handcrafted a lot around here. It truly is an art to produce from grains, fruit, corn and yeast a lovely spirit that has a great nose and flavor. The artisan studies how flavors combine, knit and mellow over time.
and the appearance of the liquor is just as important as the taste.
The style of bottle, the eye catching label and font on the label all matters.
As a family we all have to be happy with the end result. Jake spends hours researching, making mash his own unique way and then of course distilling it, to get the best quality spirit.
many distilleries outsource a neutral grain spirit and then add a flavoring. We make our own spirits and where we can we start out with the flavor. For example our Banana Foster Moonshine is made from bananas. no grain. and our Peach Moonshine is made with real peaches. No artificial flavors or colors are ever used in our products.
To show our now 6 year barrel age Bourbon called Woodland and have people taste how flavorful and smooth it is is very exciting.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
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Pricing:
- Moonshine is $36.00 a bottle
- specialty spirits vary
- some can be purchased online @shoptallpinesdistillery.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tallpinesdistillery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tallpinesdistillery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tallpinesdistillery/
