On December 5th 2011, the 78th anniversary of Prohibition’s repeal in America, the New York Distilling Company opened its doors in Brooklyn. Producing high quality American gins and rye whiskeys with cocktail enthusiasts in mind, they look to honour the fantastic tradition and culture surrounding mixology in New York. Founded by Allen Katz and Tom Potter, the company also wants to bring back the spirit of distilling that New York City lost and never truly regained since Prohibition ended all those years ago.
Famous for co-founding the Brooklyn Brewery in 1987, Potter took a four year break to pursue kayaking adventures. Exciting as that was, he returned to the drinks world in 2008 with plans in mind to start the New York Distilling Company with well-known cocktail and spirit expert Allen Katz. To make their spirits, they use a hybrid distilling system. This was specially chosen as it gives them a lot more versatility when it comes to what they can produce, as they continue to tinker and experiment.
Providing spirits to the five boroughs, is the New York Distilling Company’s passion. From public fundraising events, naming their craft gins after prominent New Yorkers of the past and only using grain produced in New York for their rye whiskey, they obviously have a lot of love for their home. They are also the only distillery in New York City with their own public bar, The Shanty, right next door so you can enjoy cocktails made with spirits produced a literal stone’s throw away!