The Surprising Distillery Tour
A NYC distiller with a curious history dating back to the Civil, Whiskey Wars
Words and Images Roberto Serrini
The Surprising Distillery Tour
A NYC distiller with a curious history dating back to the Civil, Whiskey Wars
Words and Images Roberto Serrini
New York City there’s no shortage of distilleries with an epic history, each with enough to fill the pages of a novel or a Hollywood film script.
there’s no shortage of distilleries with an epic history, each with enough to fill the pages of a novel or a Hollywood film script.
there’s no shortage of distilleries with an epic history, each with enough to fill the pages of a novel or a Hollywood film script.
There’s more than a handful that claim to be the oldest. But there’s only one magical place that holds the record for being both the oldest and one of the newest: Kings County Distillery, located in the city’s old forgotten Navy Yard.
Enter at your own risk.
Kings County Distillery reopened in 2010, becoming both the oldest and newest distillery in The Big Apple.
The stories this yard could tell...
Enter at your own risk.
Kings County Distillery reopened in 2010, becoming both the oldest and newest distillery in The Big Apple.
The stories this yard could tell.
A bit of history to clear up the timeline paradox. In order to pay for the Civil War (which turned out to be really, really expensive), an extreme tax was placed on alcohol production. New Yorkers, never being great at being told what to do, refused to cough up and a lot of distilleries went underground. By 1871 the illegal distilling business got so bad, a couple of battalions under the command of Colonel John Broome (booooo!) stormed the Vinegar Hill area in Brooklyn and demolished every distillery they found, halting illegal moonshine production in the city until at least 2012.
Ingredients galore.
Who doesn't love recipes bought to you by the Corn Products Refining Co.?
Fast forward over 100 years to 2010 and under a change in city laws regarding micro distilleries, a small batch of alcohol alchemists applied for a permit to do what they do best. It was at this point that Kings County Distillery reopened, becoming both the oldest and newest distillery in The Big Apple. They initially set up in a warehouse before moving for good two years later in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, exactly where the Whiskey Wars of the 1870s took place.
If that’s not the plot of a Disney film, I don’t know what is.
HIT PLAY. GO ON.
Do you think they've got enough?
Amazing origin story aside, Kings County makes exceptional stuff. Their mash is hand-crafted with local product, local water, and local yeast, which makes it a truly Brooklyn booze. It’s expertly distilled in heritage copper stills that give it a unique terroir and character. Besides classic whiskeys and bourbons, the King’s County team are flavour mavericks, offering limited edition experiments like serrano-Chile moonshine, and chocolate-peated bourbon using nubs from a local chocolate purveyor.
One whiskey, two whiskeys, three whiskeys, floor.
Just a glass of the experimental moonshine, thanks.
One whiskey, two whiskeys, three whiskeys, floor.
Just a glass of the moonshine, thanks.
The King’s County team are flavour mavericks, offering limited edition experiments like serrano-Chile moonshine and peated bourbon.
While you can order or find their amazing hooch pretty much anywhere in the city, going to their distillery is like visiting a boozy, American Willy Wonka, minus the Oompah Loompas. Located in the stunning old Paymaster’s building in the Navy Yard, a storeroom of oak casks sit quietly in shafts of diffused light, like rows of goodtime soldiers waiting for deployment.
It's tough being an award-winning distillery.
An opulent tasting room is located in one of the original gatehouses and has beautiful patina walls and serves the sharpest cocktails. Plus, you might even be able to jump into one of their small session classes and learn from the masters and distil your very own batch of whiskey to share with your friends, loved ones… others right at home.
get in the know India beats out other countries such as Ireland and the United States to claim the title of 'Largest Whiskey Drinking Country in the World', consuming almost half of the world's entire supply each year.
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