Liberty Pole Spirits sits on Adios Drive in Washington, Pennsylvania, about 30 minutes south of Pittsburgh in the heart of Washington County’s growing craft spirits scene. Founded by Mark McKenzie, a former pharmaceutical executive who left corporate life to chase his passion for distilling, the operation opened its doors in 2016 after years of planning and navigating local regulations. The distillery occupies a modern facility designed specifically for spirits production, housing custom copper stills and aging warehouses where McKenzie and his small team craft bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka using locally sourced grains whenever possible. McKenzie’s journey from pharma to distilling wasn’t accidental—he spent years as a home distiller and whiskey enthusiast before deciding to make the leap professionally. The name “Liberty Pole” pays homage to the revolutionary war-era liberty poles that were erected as symbols of resistance, fitting for Washington County’s rich Revolutionary War history. McKenzie brought in experienced distillers to help refine their processes, focusing on small-batch production that allows them to experiment with different mash bills and aging techniques. They’re particularly proud of their bourbon program, which uses a high-rye mash bill that sets it apart from sweeter Kentucky-style bourbons. Visitors get an intimate look at craft distilling in action, with McKenzie or his team often personally leading tours through the production floor and explaining their grain-to-glass process. The tasting room has a relaxed, industrial feel with exposed beams and views into the distillery floor, where you can see the fermentation tanks and copper stills at work. It’s not a polished tourist destination—it feels like what it is, a working distillery where people are genuinely passionate about the craft and happy to share that enthusiasm with visitors who appreciate the technical side of spirits production.