Maggie’s Farm Rum has established itself as the premier rum producer not only in Pittsburgh, but across America. Now, owners Tim and Layla Russell are sharing their success with charities that hold a special place in their hearts.
As of February 1st, 2018, $1 of every bottle of Maggie’s Farm core rum products sold, including White, Spiced, Single Barrel, or 50/50 Dark rums, will be donated to animal rescue charities in the area of the sale (as denoted on labels for all bottles rolling out in Maggie’s distribution markets – pictured left). Monthly bottle sales in each market will then be tallied and the funds donated directly to non-profit, no-kill animal shelters in all areas of distribution – Pittsburgh, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Delaware, Philadelphia, Nashville, New York, and all future markets as well. Multiple charities in each area of these cities will be chosen monthly in an effort to spread the donations around as much as possible.
As the Maggie’s Farm brand continues to experience growth in production and sales, the desire to give back has moved to the forefront of their operations. With this ability, and without any price increases on their renowned portfolio of products, The Russell’s have decided to assist charities whose beliefs and philosophies parallel their own – namely helping pets who have fallen on hard times for numerous reasons find a loving family.
“These are charities that benefit finding long-term homes for lost, neglected, or abused pets,” Layla stated. “Family pets can be our greatest companions and truly depend on us, and in exchange provide us their unconditional love.”
Pictured right are Layla and Tim with, from left to right, family dogs Crosby, a yellow lab/golden retriever mix, rescued from a foster home in Washington County in 2007. Lumi, a 10-month-old Shiba Inu mix, recently rescued from an Indiana County Animal shelter after being found lost in nearby woods without a collar, and Blake, a black lab, rescued by Tim’s younger sister and parents from a neglectful home in 2008.
Allegheny Distilling LLC, located in Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District, was incorporated in late 2012 and began production of Maggie’s Farm Rum in October of 2013 before opening its cocktail bar in the distillery in January of 2014.
In the time since its opening just over four years ago, Maggie’s Farm has become one of, if not the most-awarded rum distillery in America, with nearly fifty awards and medals including Highest Ranked American-made rum and spiced rum (Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2017) and awards for Best-in-Show spirit (American Craft Spirits Association ’16), Best-in-Class rum (American Craft Spirits Association ’15 and ’16), Best-in-Category spiced rum (American Distilling Institute ’15), Best-in-Category coffee liqueur and Best-in-Category “other” liqueur (for fresh ingredient falernum) (American Distilling Institute ’17), and 2X Pennsylvania Distillery of the Year (New York International Spirits Competition ’14 and ’16).
Maggie’s Farm Rum is the first commercially-available Pennsylvania-made craft rum since Prohibition. All spirits are made from scratch, from the long fermentations of raw sugar cane from Louisiana, rather than molasses. Then, twice pot-distilled for full body and flavor on the Spanish-made copper stills located directly behind the distillery’s cocktail bar. The distillery is open for tastings and bottle sales Wednesday through Sunday and serves craft cocktails Thursday through Sunday.
