Highspire Whiskey
Prohibition may be over, but the aftertaste still lingers in the mouths of whiskey drinkers. By forcing alcohol production underground, Prohibition centralized whiskey distilling in Kentucky and took away the distinct, regional flavors created largely by the water sourced for each brand. We here at Kindred Distilled Spirits are on a mission to bring back the unique flavor of pre-Prohibition American whiskey by reintroducing America to Highspire Whiskey made with Pure Rye.
It was this notion, not to reinvent rye whiskey, but to return to the origins of it that led us to the doorstep of Robert Wilson, the Irish immigrant who founded Wilson Distilling Company and Highspire Pure Rye Whiskey. Wilson established the Wilson Distilling Company in 1823 on his good name and a promise: to bring a uniquely American flavor to the spirit of his native land. A visionary with boundless ambition, Wilson crafted a 100 percent rye whiskey recipe that combined the finest rye of his day with the pristine waters of artisan wells on the grounds of the original distillery in Highspire, Pennsylvania. The inimitable flavor and quality made Highspire the most popular whiskey of its day. If you were drinking whiskey in pre-Prohibition America, you were likely drinking Highspire. Famous for its purity, Highspire was even prescribed by physicians to cure what ailed you.
Today, Kindred Distilled Spirits is bringing back the classic taste and experience of pre-Prohibition American whiskey made with 100% rye for the modern American whiskey connoisseur. We have set out to craft whiskey the traditional way: 100 percent rye mash and clean, cool water. We have are aging our whiskey four months in used California wine barrels with an addition to oak staves to bring a unique taste that sets Highspire apart from any whiskey that is distilled using 100% rye. Kindred Distilled Spirits is proud to be able to bring you the original Highspire Whiskey experience and we think Mister Wilson would be proud too.
Author: Caroline Porsiel
Caroline Porsiel is a master distiller and liqueurist based in East Ellijay, Georgia. She founded House of Applejay, a fine spirits and liqueur distillery, in 2022 with her mother, Sabine, crafting award-winning products like Applejay from Ellijay, Mt. Frozen Knob Vodka, and Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. The distillery won a 2024 Best of Georgia Award and a 2025 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. As a founding member of the AMBRU Campaign, launched in 2020, Porsiel advocates for the global recognition of American Brandy and Rum. She continues to drive innovation in the craft spirits industry from her active distillery in the heart of Georgia’s apple country.
