Bellefonte, PA – Big Spring Spirits, a LEED-certified distillery nestled in the heart of
Pennsylvania, is thrilled to announce its recent win at the renowned New York
International Spirits Competition (NYISC). The distillery's American Whiskey has been
awarded the prestigious Double Gold medal, as well as a rating of 96 by the competition
judges. The Double Gold medal signifies the highest level of recognition at the NYISC,
reserved for spirits that receive gold ratings unanimously from all judges. Out of 1,400
entries, only 39 Whiskeys were awarded the ranking of Double Gold.Â
The NYISC is one of the most influential and distinguished spirits competitions in the
world, bringing together judges and industry experts to evaluate and recognize the
finest spirits from across the globe. With a rigorous blind-tasting process, the competition showcases outstanding products and provides a platform for distilleries to gain recognition for their exceptional craftsmanship.
Big Spring Spirits’ American Whiskey is a bourbon-style blended whiskey made using
locally-sourced corn, wheat, and rye and is aged 6 years in charred new American oak
barrels.  "I am thrilled that our American Whiskey received double gold because it is a
blended whiskey," said Big Spring Head Distiller Phil Jensen. "Choosing which barrels of each distilled grain to use adds an extra variable to the quality of the final product that a non-blended whiskey doesn’t have. Most of the time, the agreed upon favorite blend
of the staff is, in fact, the one I created in my head based on my quick samples from the
barrels. That always gives me great satisfaction, and to have industry experts agree is
very gratifying."
As a part of its commitment to environmental stewardship, the LEED-certified distillery is housed in the historic Match Factory Complex in downtown Bellefonte, and capitalizes on its incredible water source, the eponymous Big Spring located just yards from the manufacturing facility. The water from the Big Spring--voted the best-tasting water in PA by the Pennsylvania Rural Water Association--is the key to the distillery's ability to create superior spirits, and the award-winning American Whiskey is just one of fourteen spirits now being produced, with vodka, gin, several rums and several aged whiskeys including rye, corn, and wheat in the line-up. More information is available at their website, www.BigSpringSpirits.com.