Wigle Whiskey co-founders and owners Meredith Meyer Grelli and Alexander Grelli have been named James Beard Award Semi-Finalists for Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional.

Wigle is one of five distilleries in the United States to be recognized by the James Beard Awards this year.

The James Beard Foundation Awards are annual awards presented by the James Beard Foundation for excellence in cuisine, culinary writing, and culinary education in the United States. The Awards were established in 1990 and are often called “The Oscars of Food.” The Awards honor the finest food and drink professionals in the United States. The awards are voted on by more than 600 culinary professionals. The 2017 Winner in this category was Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton Delaware.

The Meyer-Grelli family started Wigle as Pittsburgh’s first distillery since Prohibition. Since beginning distilling in December 2011, Wigle Whiskey has worked to restore Pittsburgh’s legacy as the Birthplace of American Whiskey and the epicenter of Rye. Wigle spirits are distributed throughout the country and in 2017 the Distillery was the most awarded Craft Whiskey Distillery in the US By the American Craft Spirits Association. Wigle has won Best in Category Rye Whiskey, Wheat Whiskey and Genever-style Gin, by the American Craft Spirits Association. Wigle Owners also co-authored the book, The Whiskey Rebellion & The Rebirth of Rye.