Strip District distillery Maggie's Farm Rum vies for USA Today honor

Bob Dylan's tune “Maggie's Farm” talks about not working there anymore. The song influenced Tim Russell into a career change.

Russell left his position as a project manager for government Defense contracts to create Maggie's Farm Rum, crafted by Allegheny Distillery, an award-winning company.

It's been named Pennsylvania distillery of the year by New York International Spirits Competition, American Distilling Institute's best-of-category spiced rum, American Craft Spirits Association best-of-class rum and best-in-show spirit.

Now, Maggie's Farm Rum has been recognized by USA Today as one of 20 craft distilleries in the nation in its 10Best Best Craft Rum Distillery contest. USA Today is now running a contest through Sept. 12 to vote for the best rum distillery.

There is no big money involved if you win, Russell says, but the recognition would mean a lot.

“With more than 1,800 distilleries in the country, getting recognized by industry insiders means a distillery has distinguished itself and really stands out from the crowd due to the high caliber of the spirits being produced,” says Lydia Schrandt, senior photo editor and readers' choice production manager at USA Today 10Best. “Many of them are small family-run affairs, so getting their brand in front of a national audience is — we hope — worthwhile recognition.”

Maggie's Farm Rum was in the lead as of late afternoon Aug. 16, National Rum Day, according to rumday.com. Winners will be announced on 10Best on Sept. 16.

Maggie's Farm Rum is meant to be a smooth, full-flavored, full-bodied spirit. The use of temperature- controlled fermentation, a 100 percent copper-pot still and conservative distillation cuts ensure this, says Russell.

Maggie's Farm Rum was one of the first producers of craft rum in Pennsylvania since Prohibition.

10Best enlisted the help of a panel of spirits experts to select the 20 competing distilleries.

“A lot of those other distilleries have been around a long time and have a large fan base,” says Russell, who started his business three years ago. “So to be ranked No. 1 (as of late Aug. 16), means a lot to me. It's exciting and would be great to bring this honor to Pittsburgh. ... It's always nice to be recognized.”

Maggie's Farm Rum is available in 60-plus local restaurants and in the premium collection in area PLCB stores. It will be sold in Philadelphia shortly.

Maggie's Farm Rum, 3212A Smallman St., Strip District, offers bottle sales from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Cocktail hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Fridays and noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays. Details: 412-709-6480 or maggiesfarmrum.com

To vote: 10best.com/awards/travel/best-craft-rum-distillery

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 412-320-7889 or jharrop@tribweb.com.