Did you know our name used to be New York Wine Events? While we are now supporting national wine-loving efforts as Crush Wine Experiences, we will always have a special love for the state of New York and all the incredible efforts being achieved in the wine and spirits industries. So with that, we present the top 10 craft distilleries in New York state!
Old Scotland Road Distillery Akron, NY
This old-school whiskey distillery is veteran-owned and operated, and takes great pride in its longstanding traditional moonshiner artisanship. The land under this distillery has been in one family for three generations, giving a beautiful homey feeling when you visit. Make sure you take the tour and see the new age copper pot that produces the signature handlebar whiskey, styled after the master distiller himself.
Saint Lawrence Spirits Clayton, NY
Saint Lawrence boasts an impressive resume, winning NY State Distillery of the Year in 2019, 2020, and 2021. They produce a range of spirits including Vodka, Gin, Absinthe, Moonshine, Whiskey, and Bourbon, and they use the water of the Saint Lawrence River to proof down all the spirits. All of the grains used in their products are sourced from New York, with 90% coming out of their home of Jefferson County.
Old Home Distillers Lebanon, NY
Family-run out of a 100-year old barn, Old Home produces a gorgeous variety of whiskies including corn, maple, and malt whiskeys, as well as some bourbons and even a gin. Everything produced here is small-batch, made exclusively from fruits and grains from the state of New York.
Do Good Spirits Roscoe, NY
In 2009, Do Good Spirits started producing their vodka, as one of only five spirits producers in the entire state. They originally started as Prohibition Distillery, winning many competitions for the small-batch product. Now they function as Do Good Spirits, cranking out bottles of their gorgeous vodka plus gin and bourbon in an 8,000 square foot space.
Kings County Distillery Brooklyn, NY
This Brooklyn institution is the oldest craft distillery in the state of New York, producing its range of creative whiskeys out of East Williamsburg for the last 123 years. Their methods are a blend of distilling practices that come together to innovate and create the award-winning Peated Bourbon, Empire Rye, and other whiskeys that they’ve become famous for.
Finger Lakes Distilling Burdett, NY
This Farm Distillery in the region of the Finger Lakes is designed after the classic Scottish style but their methods are modern, eco-conscious with zero-waste standards. The process of fermentation is similar to that of a winery with all local fruits and grains that results in a beautiful selection of whiskey, vodka, brandy and grappa, gin, and other fruit liqueurs.
Black Button Distilling Rochester, NY
The name of this bourbon distillery came from a family history of button making and the founder’s colorblindness. The quality of the bourbon from this distillery comes from the “grain-to-glass” methodology, meaning they grow all of their grains that are used to produce the beautiful bourbons.
Coppersea Distilling New Paltz, NY
Coppersea is another grain-to-glass distillery that takes intense pride in its Heritage Methods distilling. The rye, corn, and barley used in their spirits are all heirloom varieties grown on their own farms and within Hudson Valley, including the malts which are from their own malt house. We highly encourage you to visit their space and learn about the fascinating techniques they use to create their products.
New York Distilling Company Brooklyn, NY
Born from some of the city’s most knowledgeable and impressive industry folks, NYDC boasts a truly beautiful collection of New York-inspired spirits like the famous Dorothy Parker Gin and Mr. Katz’s Rock & Rye. They take the history and tradition of distilling very seriously here, although innovation and creativity are never left to the wayside.
Southern Tier Distilling Lakewood, NY
The property this distillery calls home actually began as Southern Tier Brewery, and the commitment to small-batch craft products has never wavered. Like many in New York, they are dedicated to a grain-to-glass philosophy so you know the taste is all New York. They do it all – from vodka and gin, bourbon and whiskey, and even something similar to rum that’s made of molasses and 20,000 pounds of New York maple syrup.
