NYC: Manhattans Only Whiskey Distillery Tour and Tasting

New York City is no stranger to the art of distilling, with a rich history dating back to the 18th century. At the heart of this legacy stands Manhattan’s Historic Distillery, the city’s only whiskey distillery offering public tours and tastings. Visitors can explore the state-of-the-art facility, delving into the intricate process that transforms raw ingredients into the distillery’s acclaimed small-batch spirits. From the robust Straight Bourbon to the complex Four Grain Bourbon and the spicy Rye Whiskey, each sip tells a story of the distillery’s commitment to quality and innovation. The opportunity to witness the skills of the master distillers firsthand is one that no whiskey enthusiast should miss.

Key Points

• The Manhattan’s Historic Distillery is the borough’s first legal whiskey distillery in the post-Prohibition era, established in 2016 as a state-of-the-art facility.
• The guided tour offers an in-depth exploration of the distillery’s inner workings, showcasing the state-of-the-art equipment and the skilled distillers at work.
• The distillation process involves copper pot stills, vapor infusion, and barrel maturation, highlighting the art and science involved in crafting exceptional small-batch spirits.
• The tour includes a tasting of the distillery’s signature whiskey offerings, such as Straight Bourbon, Four Grain Bourbon, and Rye whiskey, with insights into their unique flavor profiles.
• The exclusive "Manhattan’s Only Whiskey Distillery Tour and Tasting" experience is not widely available, and visitors can join a waitlist to receive notifications about future tour and tasting opportunities.

Manhattan’s Historic Distillery

Located in the heart of Manhattan, the Great Jones Distillery stands as the borough’s first legal whiskey distillery in the post-Prohibition era.

Established in 2016, this state-of-the-art facility proudly upholds the city’s historic tradition of distilling spirits, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the art and science behind the production of its renowned whiskeys.

The distillery’s modern equipment and meticulously crafted recipes pay homage to the pioneering spirit of New York’s early distillers, while its commitment to quality and innovation ensures the creation of exceptional small-batch spirits.

Guests can enjoy the rich history and vibrant culture of Manhattan’s burgeoning craft distilling scene through an immersive tour and tasting experience at the Great Jones Distillery.

Guided Tour of the Facility

The Great Jones Distillery’s guided tour takes visitors on an in-depth exploration of the facility’s inner workings, revealing the meticulous processes behind the creation of their acclaimed whiskeys.

Guests are led through the state-of-the-art equipment used at every stage, from milling the grains to fermentation and distillation. The knowledgeable guides share the history and provenance of the distillery’s ingredients, highlighting the importance of quality and craftsmanship.

Visitors can observe the skilled distillers at work, gaining a deeper appreciation for the art and science involved. Throughout the tour, guests are encouraged to ask questions, fostering an interactive and educational experience that brings the whiskey-making process to life.

Distillation Process Insights

At the heart of Great Jones Distillery’s whiskey-making process lies the distillation stage, where the liquid is carefully transformed into the signature spirits. Visitors are captivated as they witness the skilled distillers expertly manipulate the state-of-the-art equipment, precisely controlling temperature, pressure, and time to coax out the desired flavors and aromas from the fermented mash.

The tour highlights three key aspects of the distillation process:

1. Copper Pot Stills: The distillation takes place in copper pot stills, which help to remove sulfur compounds and enhance the spirit’s purity and smoothness.

2. Vapor Infusion: The vapors are carefully monitored and redirected through a series of chambers, allowing for a more thorough extraction of the desired compounds.

3. Barrel Maturation: The distilled spirit is then carefully aged in charred oak barrels, where it develops its distinctive color, aroma, and complex flavor profile.

Tasting the Signature Whiskeys

Visitors to the Great Jones Distillery embark on a tasting journey, sampling the distillery’s signature whiskey offerings, which showcase the culmination of their meticulous distillation process.

The tasting begins with the Straight Bourbon, a smooth and balanced expression that highlights the distillery’s commitment to quality.

Next, guests savor the Four Grain Bourbon, a complex and nuanced whiskey that showcases the distillery’s expertise in blending.

The final pour is the Rye, a spicy and robust spirit that exemplifies the distillery’s dedication to traditional techniques.

Throughout the tasting, knowledgeable guides provide insights into the unique characteristics of each whiskey, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship behind Great Jones’ exceptional spirits.

Straight Bourbon Whiskey Flavor

Great Jones Distillery’s Straight Bourbon whiskey boasts a smooth and balanced flavor profile, showcasing the distillery’s commitment to quality craftsmanship. Its well-rounded character features notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak, harmoniously blended to create a spirit that delights the senses.

The distillery’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in the Straight Bourbon’s exceptional quality:

1. The use of premium, locally-sourced grains ensures a robust and authentic bourbon flavor.

2. The careful temperature and time control during the distillation process results in a spirit with remarkable depth and complexity.

3. The bourbon’s maturation in charred oak barrels lends a subtle, toasted oakiness that beautifully complements the other flavor notes.

Four Grain Bourbon Highlights

The Four Grain Bourbon from Great Jones Distillery consistently impresses with its harmonious blend of four distinct grains: corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley.

This unique mash bill lends the whiskey a delightful complexity, as each grain contributes its own subtle nuances to the overall flavor profile.

The nose offers a captivating bouquet of caramel, vanilla, and warm spices, while the palate delivers a smooth, well-balanced sipping experience.

The rye and wheat provide a gentle spiciness, the corn lends a touch of sweetness, and the malted barley adds a delicate malty character.

This expertly crafted bourbon is a true testament to the distillery’s commitment to quality and innovation.

Rye Whiskey Expressions

Alongside its acclaimed bourbon offerings, Great Jones Distillery showcases an equally impressive selection of rye whiskey expressions that captivate the senses.

Their Straight Rye Whiskey boasts a harmonious blend of spicy and sweet notes, with a smooth, lingering finish that delights the palate.

The Four Grain Rye Whiskey takes the traditional rye recipe up a notch, incorporating four distinct grains to create a uniquely complex flavor profile.

Lastly, the Cask Strength Rye Whiskey, bottled at a robust 115 proof, delivers an intense yet balanced experience, perfect for the discerning rye enthusiast.

These remarkable rye offerings embody Great Jones Distillery’s commitment to crafting exceptional spirits that honor the rich history of Manhattan’s distilling legacy.

Tour and Tasting Availability

Currently, the popular NYC: Manhattan’s Only Whiskey Distillery Tour and Tasting isn’t widely available due to limited capacity at the Great Jones Distillery.

Visitors can, however, join the waitlist to receive notifications about future tour and tasting opportunities, which are subject to the distillery’s scheduling and demand.

While this exclusive experience isn’t consistently offered, it’s worth the wait for whiskey enthusiasts.

The tour and tasting includes a guided exploration of the distillery, an inside look at the distillation process, and a sampling of three signature Great Jones whiskeys.

Guests should note that the experience doesn’t include hotel pickup/drop-off, food, or tips. Cancellations are permitted up to 24 hours in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gratuity Included in the Tour Price?

The tour price doesn’t include gratuity. Guests are expected to tip the tour guide and any other staff members at their discretion based on the quality of the experience.

Can I Purchase Bottles at the Distillery?

Visitors can purchase bottles of the whiskeys tasted during the tour at the Great Jones Distillery gift shop. The selection includes the Straight Bourbon, Four Grain Bourbon, and Rye whiskeys featured in the tasting experience.

What Are the Tour Group Sizes?

The tour group sizes at the Great Jones Distillery vary, but they’re typically small, allowing for an intimate and personalized experience. The distillery welcomes visitors in groups of 10 or fewer, ensuring everyone can engage fully with the tour and tasting.

Is the Tour Wheelchair Accessible?

The distillery tour is wheelchair accessible. The facilities have been designed to accommodate visitors with mobility needs, including ramps and wide doorways. Guests using wheelchairs can fully participate in the guided tour and tasting experience.

Do I Need to Present Any ID for the Tasting?

For the whiskey tasting, visitors must present a valid government-issued ID to verify they are of legal drinking age. This requirement ensures the distillery complies with local alcohol regulations and promotes responsible consumption during the tasting experience.

Recap

Manhattan’s Historic Distillery offers an unparalleled opportunity to discover the city’s rich distilling legacy.

The guided tour provides an intimate glimpse into the distillation process, allowing visitors to sample the distillery’s exceptional small-batch whiskeys.

From the robust Straight Bourbon to the complex Four Grain Bourbon and the spicy Rye Whiskey, each sip offers a unique insight into the distillery’s commitment to quality and innovation.