Now That's What We Call Local Spirit
There is more than one reason to get lifted on 4/20.
In 1777, the Convention of Representatives of the State of New York finalized their first constitution on April 20th, effectively transitioning New York from a colony to a state. And New York hasn't stopped changing the world since, especially in the wine and spirits industry. The state is home to over 450 wineries and 160 craft distilleries. Read on for a taste of some of our favorite homegrown hooch.
Fort Hamilton Distillery
One hot August day in 1776, the Battle of Brooklyn broke out in a watermelon patch one block from the location of Fort Hamilton Distillery and Tasting Room in Industry City. Alex Clark, founder and master distiller behind Fort Hamilton nods to this rich legacy with is line of historically inspiried spirits, including their New World Dry Gin, which is distilled with cannonball watermelon, fresh cucumber and 9 other botanicals, and Single Barrel Rye Whiskey, inspired by Alexander Hamilton’s “Hearts of Oak Militia” and distilled with locally grown rye and barley. Finely crafted and steeped in steeped in New York tradition, this is about at local as it gets.
Black Dirt Distillery Applejack
Applejack is THE quintessential American spirit. Indeed, it was the first spirit distilled in what would become the United States. Before prohibition, The Black Dirt Region of New York State, home to some of the nation’s most fertile soil, was also home to dozens of applejack distilleries. Black Dirt Applejack, produced at the first micro-distillery in New York State, is honoring the rich tradition of this spirit and its region with this award-winning apple brandy. Made from 100% Jonagold apples and aged a minimum of five years in American oak, notes of baked apple, smoke, cocoa, vanilla, and baking spices dominate the nose. On the palate, the flavors are rich and lingering, with hints of honey, caramel and orange peel. It’s great to use in any whiskey based cocktail or to sip on its own after a cozy dinner.
Great Jones Distilling Co. Straight Rye Whiskey
A love letter to NY’s signature grain, Great Jones Rye is crafted from ingredients grown in the legendary Black Dirt region of Warwick Valley, NY. Aged in American oak barrels, this 4 year old rye opens with tantalizing aromas of spices, dry hay, and orchard fruit. The palate is balanced and robust, with hints of spice, vanilla, black pepper and a chocolate malt finish. Perfect for sipping or incorporating into a host of cocktails.
Via Carota Craft Cocktails
New York, and New York City, has always had a special connection to Italy. It is home to some of the best Italian restaurants outside of Italy, such as the James Beard Award-winning Via Carota. The restaurant team's new line of cocktails embrace and expand upon that connection. The Espresso Martini is made from six-times distilled bespoke vodka and real espresso, it offers aromas of chocolate, toffee, and dark fruit, a silky texture, and rich flavors of chicory and chocolate-covered cherries. The Classic Negroni is made with Forthave Red Aperitivo, dry gin and bespoke vermouth
Harridan Vodka
Most people believe all vodkas taste the same. Harridan Vodka aims to change that with this new, smooth premium vodka made from 100% organic corn grown in New York State. Bottled at 88 proof, it offers distinct notes of ripe tree fruit, a silky, creamy texture, balance, and a lengthy finish flecked with warm spice. Interesting enough to stand up to cocktails and smooth enough to drink over the rocks, this is vodka with character — just like the "harridans" of the past who inspired it.
Neversink Spirits
Neversink Spirits began as a passion project between longtime friends and lovers of spirits Noah Braunstein and Yoni Rabino. Inspired by their lifelong adventures tasting, tinkering, sipping and enjoying cocktails from around the world, the respect and admiration for the old-world traditions are certainly present. But the team at Neversink wasn’t satisfied with simply mimicking the spirits of years past, they strove to create their own unique take on the spirits they loved. They found their muse in one of New York's most important crops, apples.
Neversink Gin starts with a New York state apple base spirit that is carefully distilled through a blend of 11 botanicals to create a well balanced, floral and aromatic gin. Their critically acclaimed bourbon is a marriage of a wheated bourbon finished in casks previously used to age Apple Apéritif, Neversink’s spin on the French classic, Pommeau.
Tuthilltown Spirits Hudson Whiskey NY Mets Edition
The story of Tuthilltown Distillery and Hudson Whiskey began with the construction of the Tuthilltown Gristmill, a testament to New York ingenuity, more than 230 years ago. The distillery's 36 acres are situated on the outer fringe of the New York metropolitan area, at the foot of the Shawangunk Mountains, in the heart of the Hudson Valley that inspires Tuthilltown Spirits' craft.
Today known for their line of bourbon and rye whiskeys, Hudson Whiskey has teamed up with the New York Mets to create a limited edition bottling of their award-winning Bright Lights, Big Bourbon. Opening with notes of vanilla and baking spice, that blossom into rich flavors of stone fruit, caramel, toasted cashew and fresh-baked corn bread that carry through to the long, lingering finish.
Wandering Barman Cocktails
Brooklyn-bred, industry-proven. Wandering Barman was founded by local bartenders and spirits experts Julian Mohamed and Roxane Mollicchi. Their mission is to move the service industry toward smarter, more sustainable practices, with quality ingredients and less waste. They combine their own handcrafted bitters, syrups, and infusions with quality spirits to create original, pre-batched cocktails, and donate 1% of profits to alcohol addiction support groups.
