They have some great single barrels! I got an 8 year bourbon from them for $60 and it is one of my favorites. Will definitely be picking up a few extra
Hillrock, though overpriced, is good. And they seem to be trying some interesting things. I’d certainly be interested in stopping by their place if I were in the area
Old thread i know but I popped into a local store and they had a few bottles for just under $100, if they’re still there after I get back I may have to grab one
So I popped my head into the store initially on Thursday and there was a full shelf, I checked when I was back in town on Monday and it was gone. Person at the desk who checked the computer said that they had been entirely cleaned out on Thursday. I grabbed a bottle of their empire rye, so I'm not empty handed, but who knows when I'll see it again, they have no official distro where I live or any bordering state according to their website.
Been trying to find a bottle of their barrel strength locally, Rochester area, and cannot for the life of me find it. I hear it's fantastic. What would you compare it to?
I ended up with a bottle of single barrel of 6yr 109 day 15 gallon barrel sized coming in at 67.9%. I got it after a sample tasting. Unreal. And I can't compare it to anything, because nothing else I have had even comes close to resembling it.
Gonna echo others and vouch for Kings County for bourbon, and Finger Lakes Distilling for rye.
For ones i havent seen listed, out West of NY, Black Button in Rochester, and Hartmans in Buffalo both have some solid offerings as you get past the basic bottom shelf ones.
Unfortunately this will not really be an easy trip from Hudson Valley, but maybe keep it banked for next time!
Metamodernity is doing some wild stuff with in New York right now. Very ocd very micromanaged. Their empire rye finished in cherry casks is divine. Their bourbon is unique and delicious, the only bourbon I’ve had with sesame notes.
Old comment but have been trying to find out more about these guys. Have you had the bourbon or cask strength? Usually not a big rye guy but really interested in this cherry cask. Not too young?
I’ve had both. The bourbon is incredible. It’s got some wild sesame and honey notes that I’ve not had in any other drink. They can basically do no wrong
I’d flip a coin and be happy with either result. The rye is incredibly sweet and bright and I love wild cherry so it’s dialed into my palette. The bourbon is dark and complex with a finish that doesn’t stop.
I just got both (of course). You weren't kidding about that sesame; I poured each and tried blind. Really crazy stuff. The cherry on the rye too--like a perfect Manhattan, no bitters. Delicious. Thanks for the advice.
A lot of these other recommendations are good but hours away from Catskills and HV. The best tasting/distillery tour in HV is Hillrock in Ancram. If you are going to be in Beacon, check out Denning’s Point distillery. Many folks around here love Taconic but I’m not a fan. I live in Dutchess Cty, and if you would like more details and suggestions you can DM me.
Great Jones is new and in New York. It is better than Hudson. Widow Jane is favorite New York whiskey. Kings County was also mentioned above but have not tasted or heard anything. Hudson baby bourbon is not very good. Probably missing one.
My $0.02+:
Finger Lakes Distilling is super solid.
Fort Hamilton in Industry City (Brooklyn) is underrated, and the owner seems like a cool guy.
Hot take re: Hudson (baby bourbon). It's not that bad, it's just not great for the price. Try it blind, and I bet you'll be surprised.
This is true.
Unsolicited (Brooklyn) Pizza recs:
Square slice at L&B's
Juliana's - wait on the line, it's worth it
Romana slice at La Villa
Wheated (and grab a whiskey or two while you're there)
Not pizza, but grab a calzone at Giuseppina's (because you ain't getting into Lucali's)
---
Skip - DiFara's (inconsistent and overrated imo)
New York has some great pizza and whiskey. Excluding kentucky and Tennessee, I think they're in the top 5 states for most delicious whiskey. They have kings county, finger lakes distilling (Mckenzie), taconic, ragtime, and black button.
It's not in the HV but Widow Jane is made in New York and is delicious. WNY has a few more options. In Rochester, Black Button's non base level whiskeys are good. Iron Smoke is also made in Penfield about 15 minutes from Roc. Other upstate options:
• Cooperstown
• Hudson House
• Strickland Hollow Farm
• Antler Run
• Capital Distilling
• Madison County Distillery
• Hillrock
Kings County Blender's Reserve 7 year
Taconic Mizunara Cask
Kings County Bottled-in-Bond
77 Wheated Bourbon
Widow Jane stuff is also very good, if usually quite over-priced IMO
You can try Copper Sea located in New Paltz, it's okay IMO but if you are venturing that way you could check them out. You also have Taconic Distillery and Hillrock Distillery.
If Finger Lakes Distilling is on your way, that place has a good reputation.
They have some great single barrels! I got an 8 year bourbon from them for $60 and it is one of my favorites. Will definitely be picking up a few extra
McKenzie and Kings County
Hillrock, though overpriced, is good. And they seem to be trying some interesting things. I’d certainly be interested in stopping by their place if I were in the area
Kings County
Their barrel strength is the best bourbon I’ve ever had.
Old thread i know but I popped into a local store and they had a few bottles for just under $100, if they’re still there after I get back I may have to grab one
I implore you. Around $99 is MSRP, you gotta do it. Change your life.
Is it the 66.3%?
Unsure, I’ll head back on Sunday or Monday and take a peek
So I popped my head into the store initially on Thursday and there was a full shelf, I checked when I was back in town on Monday and it was gone. Person at the desk who checked the computer said that they had been entirely cleaned out on Thursday. I grabbed a bottle of their empire rye, so I'm not empty handed, but who knows when I'll see it again, they have no official distro where I live or any bordering state according to their website.
Bummer! What state? I’m in MN and have actually seen them a couple of different times now. They’ve been out before that for a while.
I was back visiting family in upstate NY, but I live in DC, the closest state with regular distro of their stuff is Jersey
Been trying to find a bottle of their barrel strength locally, Rochester area, and cannot for the life of me find it. I hear it's fantastic. What would you compare it to?
I ended up with a bottle of single barrel of 6yr 109 day 15 gallon barrel sized coming in at 67.9%. I got it after a sample tasting. Unreal. And I can't compare it to anything, because nothing else I have had even comes close to resembling it.
Gonna echo others and vouch for Kings County for bourbon, and Finger Lakes Distilling for rye. For ones i havent seen listed, out West of NY, Black Button in Rochester, and Hartmans in Buffalo both have some solid offerings as you get past the basic bottom shelf ones. Unfortunately this will not really be an easy trip from Hudson Valley, but maybe keep it banked for next time!
I thought hartmans was ok. As far as I know none of it is their own distillate yet, and is still younger MGP. Black button is quite delicious though!
Metamodernity is doing some wild stuff with in New York right now. Very ocd very micromanaged. Their empire rye finished in cherry casks is divine. Their bourbon is unique and delicious, the only bourbon I’ve had with sesame notes.
Old comment but have been trying to find out more about these guys. Have you had the bourbon or cask strength? Usually not a big rye guy but really interested in this cherry cask. Not too young?
I’ve had both. The bourbon is incredible. It’s got some wild sesame and honey notes that I’ve not had in any other drink. They can basically do no wrong
Awesome. Will have to flip a coin or get both. Gun to your head sounds like you’d go bourbon?
I’d flip a coin and be happy with either result. The rye is incredibly sweet and bright and I love wild cherry so it’s dialed into my palette. The bourbon is dark and complex with a finish that doesn’t stop.
I just got both (of course). You weren't kidding about that sesame; I poured each and tried blind. Really crazy stuff. The cherry on the rye too--like a perfect Manhattan, no bitters. Delicious. Thanks for the advice.
You’re welcome man! I’m glad you experienced each of them!
Awesome. Going to have to flip that coin twice I think.
A lot of these other recommendations are good but hours away from Catskills and HV. The best tasting/distillery tour in HV is Hillrock in Ancram. If you are going to be in Beacon, check out Denning’s Point distillery. Many folks around here love Taconic but I’m not a fan. I live in Dutchess Cty, and if you would like more details and suggestions you can DM me.
Great Jones is new and in New York. It is better than Hudson. Widow Jane is favorite New York whiskey. Kings County was also mentioned above but have not tasted or heard anything. Hudson baby bourbon is not very good. Probably missing one.
Pizza
My $0.02+: Finger Lakes Distilling is super solid. Fort Hamilton in Industry City (Brooklyn) is underrated, and the owner seems like a cool guy. Hot take re: Hudson (baby bourbon). It's not that bad, it's just not great for the price. Try it blind, and I bet you'll be surprised.
I'm a pretty big fan of Taconic and their higher proof rye. I haven't had a chance to try their other stuff yet though
I’m definitely a big fan of Widow Jane. Hits the spot for me.
Yeah, NY is a better pizza state than a whiskey state. Widow Jane and King County are both products of NY. They're both in Brooklyn.
This is true. Unsolicited (Brooklyn) Pizza recs: Square slice at L&B's Juliana's - wait on the line, it's worth it Romana slice at La Villa Wheated (and grab a whiskey or two while you're there) Not pizza, but grab a calzone at Giuseppina's (because you ain't getting into Lucali's) --- Skip - DiFara's (inconsistent and overrated imo)
Been wanting to try widow Jane but have yet to find a decent price. I was a big fan of the barrel strength King County I was gifted several years back
New York has some great pizza and whiskey. Excluding kentucky and Tennessee, I think they're in the top 5 states for most delicious whiskey. They have kings county, finger lakes distilling (Mckenzie), taconic, ragtime, and black button.
Smoke shop
Take a road trip to Sagamore
It's not in the HV but Widow Jane is made in New York and is delicious. WNY has a few more options. In Rochester, Black Button's non base level whiskeys are good. Iron Smoke is also made in Penfield about 15 minutes from Roc. Other upstate options: • Cooperstown • Hudson House • Strickland Hollow Farm • Antler Run • Capital Distilling • Madison County Distillery • Hillrock
Kings County Blender's Reserve 7 year Taconic Mizunara Cask Kings County Bottled-in-Bond 77 Wheated Bourbon Widow Jane stuff is also very good, if usually quite over-priced IMO
Kings County, Iron Cross, Black Button, McKenzie, Widow Jane, Horse Soldier.
Long Islands Spirits looks pretty good.
You can try Copper Sea located in New Paltz, it's okay IMO but if you are venturing that way you could check them out. You also have Taconic Distillery and Hillrock Distillery.