It was a very cold Monday evening to be out and about in Williamsburg, BK. And not the busy bedford ave strip either, but the area where abandoned factories stand aghast against street lights illuminating graffiti-inspired tales and characters. However, I am glad I didn't know this before I made my trip from Long Island tonight.
Earlier in the day, I had decided to look up the most well known whiskey distilleries in the US and I came upon the Bike the Bourbon Trail website in Kentucky, another adventure I plan to indulge myself in the future when I have more money. However, If I can't do national yet, why not do local? So I looked up the city distilleries, wineries and breweries and came upon the New York Distilling Company, a comparatively new distillery that opened its doors in Brooklyn for us thirsty New Yorkers.
They are specializing at the moment in the production of Gin and Rye Whiskey. Bill, one of the owners, gave my friend and I a tour around their beautiful distillery. I was very impressed since it was my first time at a distillery. Learning all the processes that Gin, and especially Whiskey, go through from fermentation to distillation and aging is very interesting from the point of view of a drinker, chemist, business owner or an engineer. Their machinery is so impressive, new, and still retains the feel of hundreds of centuries of innovating traditions.
As a bartender myself, it was a very educational experience due mostly to our somewhat enthusiastic yet knowledgeable tour guide Bill. We were also able to sample their gins Dorothy Parker and Perry's Tot. I felt in love with the taste of the Dorothy Parker, aptly named after a witty wonderful poet. Dorothy Parker is a contemporary American gin infused with botanicals (or herbs that can go from coriander to hibiscus to cinnamon). It is so exquisite to the palate, I felt like I was drinking a tea-infused gin, and I love tea, so I wanted to keep ordering more.
Perry's tot has a much more traditional taste with a touch of spices and cinnamon. My first impression was that it had a very interesting taste and flavor but once I felt the burning down my throat I remembered why I have never been able to acquire a taste for Gin. However, I don't regret sampling such a tasteful gin.
Many oak barrels were lined up together in rows of two around the factory holding delicious gallons of aging whiskey that will see the light of day around 2015.
After our tour was over we went back to the Shanty, which is the distillery's cozy bar. I suggest trying their specialty cocktails which feature their Gins and soon their rye whiskeys as well. My friend and I sampled two of their signature Gin cocktails and were amazed by the taste. We were also very pleased to find that they had a happy hour all day on Mondays, even on their specialty cocktails.
It is also worth mentioning that these tours are free of charge just like the samplings you will enjoy. However, don't forget to support your city distilleries too by bringing some friends with you, drinking locally made spirits and tipping your bartender well.
The New York Distilling Company is located on 79 Richardson St in Williamsburg, BK. Take L train to Lorimer St.
