A nose of rum-soaked raisin, structured oak, maple, vanilla, and cinnamon. The rich and layered palate features further familiar dark-fruit notes of fig and date cake, while an array of baking spices — black pepper, most notably – elegantly balance the sweetness through the finish. With a small addition of water, notes of clove, allspice, and pomegranate become prominent.
Part of a broader project with like-minded distillers throughout New York State, Kings County Empire Rye whiskey is our entry into a new rye whiskey category derived from New York’s whiskey heritage exclusively by and for New York distillers. Ours is made from 80% New York-grown Danko rye and 20% English barley malt and is aged at least 3 years in charred oak barrels. This is a potent entry into a much-loved category. With multiple superlative awards and warm commentary from traditional whiskey critics, this whiskey appears once a year and goes fast. It’s no surprise that this whiskey was named best rye whiskey at the 2023 Tales of the Cocktail.