A collaboration nearly 250 years in the making has happened between one of America’s original colonial states and a state that was carved out of one of the other original states. Whiskey makers in Pennsylvania, the second state to join the Union and Kentucky, originally part of Virginia that eventually became our nation’s 15th state, got together to swap bourbon and rye whiskey barrels to put together a unique whiskey mash-up to celebrate America 250.
Introducing Kentsylvania and Penntucky – A Blend of Straight Whiskeys
Liberty Pole Spirits of Washington, Pennsylvania and MB Roland Distillery of Pembroke, Kentucky, are proud to announce what is believed to be the first intentional collaboration blending Kentucky Bourbon and Pennsylvania Monongahela Rye, each produced by distilleries located in the regions where those whiskey traditions originated. The project brings together two of the most historically significant American whiskey styles—Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey and Monongahela Rye Whiskey—each crafted in the regions where those traditions were born.
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Celebrating America 250 – PA & KY Style
Timed to coincide with the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration, the collaboration serves as a tribute to the enduring legacy of American whiskey and the role it has played in the country’s history dating back to the earliest days of the Republic. Few places are more closely tied to the birth of American whiskey than Western Pennsylvania and Kentucky, making the collaboration a fitting tribute to America’s 250th birthday. From the rye whiskey traditions of Western Pennsylvania, closely tied to the Whiskey Rebellion, to the rise of Kentucky Bourbon as America’s native spirit, the release symbolizes a coming together of two legendary whiskey cultures ahead of the nation’s milestone anniversary.
“This project is about more than blending whiskey,” said Jim Hough, co-founder of Liberty Pole Spirits. “It’s about honoring American history, celebrating the craftsmanship that defines our industry, and recognizing the regional whiskey traditions that helped build this country.”
The collaboration began with each distillery selecting one of its own barrels and one barrel from the other distillery, resulting in two separate custom blends. Liberty Pole Spirits created its own interpretation of the marriage between the styles, while MB Roland crafted a distinct blend of its own, allowing whiskey enthusiasts to experience two different visions built from the same base whiskies.
Founded in Washington, Pennsylvania, Liberty Pole Spirits has become nationally recognized for reviving authentic Monongahela-style rye whiskey using a grain-to-glass approach, sweet mash fermentation, double pot distillation, and aging in Pennsylvania’s only five-story rickhouse.
MB Roland Distillery, located in western Kentucky, is widely respected for its dedication to Pre-Prohibition style distilling methods, ingenuity in crafting unique Kentucky bourbons and whiskeys, such as their Dark Fired Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and commitment to using premium, food quality local grains.
The collaboration also reflects the growing camaraderie and creativity within the American craft whiskey community. Rather than competing, the two distilleries embraced the opportunity to learn from one another and create something entirely new.
“This was an opportunity to showcase how different whiskey traditions can work together in a way that highlights the strengths of both,” said Paul Tomaszewski, co-founder of MB Roland Distillery. “The final blends are unique, expressive, and distinctly American.”
MB Roland Distillery Held ‘Camp Distillery’ Which Birthed Liberty Pole Spirits
To many a partnership between a Pennsylvania and Kentucky distillery may seem like an odd pairing but these two distilleries go way back.
MB Roland was one of the early craft spirits distilleries in the United States in 2009. In the early days, besides crafting delicious, flavored spirits, such as Kentucky Pink Lemonade, MB Roland Distillery’s Tomaszewski held “Camp Distillery”, an A-Z course that taught other people how to start their own distillery, as another source of income while waiting for his own bourbon to mature. What started as a one-day class morphed into two and expanded further with weeks of consultation.
Liberty Pole Spirits in Pennsylvania was one of his “graduates” and the two distilleries have kept in touch over the years. It was that early relationship that led to the swapping of barrels for American 250.
Kentsylvania and Penntucky Straight Whiskey Blend will Debut on July 1, 2026
The release is scheduled for July 1, 2026 and will be unveiled during a live social media event featuring respected whiskey voices from across the industry, including Fred Minnick, Steve Akley of the ABV Network and Jordan Moskal of Breaking Bourbon, joining the teams from both distilleries.
Quantities will be extremely limited. The whiskeys will be available primarily through the participating distilleries, with a small allocation also offered via pre-sale with direct-to-consumer shipping to select states outside Pennsylvania and Kentucky. According to the label both brands will be offered at 105.6 proof (52.8% ABV) and have a suggested retail price of around $79.99 at each distillery and $85 for direct-to-consumer shipments where permitted.
Learn more about Liberty Pole Spirits.
View all Pennsylvania Distilleries.
Learn more about MB Roland Distillery.
View all Kentucky Distilleries.
View all US Distilleries.
View all Veteran Owned Distilleries.
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