Pennsylvania’s Helltown Whiskey is making its West Coast debut in Pasadena, located at 2668 E. Foothill Blvd.
Although the exact opening date is unknown, owners Roy Oldenkamp and Harlan Overholt have made their presence known in Southern California. Oldenkamp tells What Now Los Angeles the company has made an impact in the Coachella Valley while also doing small batch/ craft rollouts to select markets and venues throughout Los Angeles. Ultimately, the duo hopes the new California Headquarters will allow them to get their whiskey to other clubs and restaurants throughout Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.
Once the distillery opens, it will strictly serve as the hub for full creation and distribution. Overholt says they will not be permitted to use our headquarters location as a tasting room. Instead, they hope the new location will allow the company to host tasting events in various venues throughout the city. The company has a local situation in Pasadena, whereas they have production facilities in Pittsburgh, which is Overholt’s family’s traditional home zone.
Overholt is part of the renowned family that first popularized American Rye Whiskey centuries ago. He is a fourth-generation Californian with his grandparents coming to California in connection with the gold rush. On September 23, 1710, his family settled in Pennsylvania and almost immediately started distilling whiskey products, building upon their expertise derived in the Palatinate area of Germany starting in the late 1600s.
On the other hand, Oldenkamp is a proud West Hollywood member of the LGBTQIAA+ community. Last spring, the duo released a 16-Year-Old Barrel Strength Bourbon. Some variations of their whiskey include straight rye whiskey, straight bourbon whiskey, and barrel strength bourbon rye straight whiskey.
