Christine “Hooch Mama” Riggleman and her husband, Denver, founded Silverback Distillery in 2014 after a visit to Scotland sparked Christine’s interest in distilling. Today, Christine serves as the company’s owner and master distiller, with more than 48 international spirits awards and recognition as the first woman distiller to release bourbon under her own name. Silverback operates tasting rooms in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and Pennsylvania’s Poconos, where visitors can learn about its craft spirits in a relaxed setting.
TLC LibationsFounded in 2017 by a mother-and-daughter duo, TLC Libations is a federally regulated Pittsburgh distillery making handcrafted spirits, cocktails, and mocktails onsite. The company became Pennsylvania’s first Black woman-owned distillery and now produces from its Homewood facility, which also houses the TLC Space Lounge tasting-room experience. Its beverages are developed with premium ingredients for events, venues, and home entertaining.PITTSBURGH, PA
Hudson Valley DistillersSince 2014, family-run Hudson Valley Distillers has been hand-distilling farm-to-bottle spirits in New York’s Hudson Valley and turning them into ready-to-pour bottled cocktails. Husband-and-wife team Chris and Jennifer Moyer run the operation with Jennifer’s brother, Stephen Theiss: Chris distills, Jennifer develops the cocktails, and Stephen handles packaging. The veteran-, woman-, and LGBT+-owned business sources ingredients from nearby farms and grain growers, keeping its spirits closely tied to the local community.CLERMONT, NY
Wigle WhiskeyIn Pittsburgh’s Strip District, Wigle Whiskey revives Western Pennsylvania’s whiskey tradition as a true grain-to-glass distillery, milling 100% local grains on site and hand-producing small-batch spirits in copper pot stills. Named for Philip Wigle, whose 1790s dispute with a tax collector helped spark the Whiskey Rebellion, it was the first distillery in Pittsburgh since Prohibition. The family-owned distillery has earned national recognition, including being named the American Craft Spirits Association’s Most Awarded Craft Distillery.PITTSBURGH, PA
Arthur Wheeler Spirits CompanyAt its Maryland distillery, Arthur Wheeler Spirits Company makes an award-winning portfolio of whiskey, rum and agave spirits, with bottles designed to bring people together. The company also operates a cocktail lounge and tasting room at Free State Distillery, where its scratch-made drinks and tours offer a direct introduction to the spirits. In its first year of competition, Arthur Wheeler earned seven international awards, including the 2025 Small Batch Whiskey of the Year.UPPER MARLBORO, MD