HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) \u2014 Pennsylvania is one step closer to having an official state spirit.<\/p>\n
Senators passed a bill Sunday to designate rye whiskey as the Commonwealth’s official spirit. Proponents say the effort recognizes Pennsylvania’s historic role in shaping the United States’ whiskey tradition while celebrating a thriving craft distilling industry.<\/p>\n
Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington) introduced the bill back in March.<\/a><\/p>\n Get the latest Pennsylvania politics and election news with abc27 newsletters<\/a>!<\/p>\n “I am thankful for my friends Jim and Ellen Hough of Liberty Pole Spirits in Washington County, along with a coalition of Pennsylvania rye whiskey distillers, who originally brought this initiative to my attention,” Bartolotta said.<\/p>\n Pennsylvania led the nation in whiskey production from the late 1700’s through the 1840’s and, in 1794, the Whiskey Rebellion took place in southwestern Pennsylvania. It was an uprising against a federal excise tax on distilled spirits.<\/p>\n Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV devices<\/a>, and newer Samsung Smart TVs.<\/a><\/p>\n The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n