I took my husband to Hillrock Estate for his 45th Birthday yesterday. We have been to rum distilleries in Jamaica, but never to a bourbon distillery in our own country, so we were very happy to try this. It was only about an hour or so away from our house, so this was a real treat. Even though it was a cloudy day in March, the distillery was so beautiful. We can only imagine how gorgeous it is in the summer. We ended up having a private tour since no one else had signed up for the 11am time slot - fine by us! Our tour guide, Bob, was very friendly and knowledgeable, explaining everything in great detail. After the tour, we had our tasting. The tour and tasting we chose was The Hillrock Distillery Tour & Barrel Proof Tasting with Cheese & Charcuterie Plate - worth every penny! The bourbons were all absolutely amazing and the charcuterie plates paired perfectly with them. We ended up buying our two favorite bourbons, along with a pair of glasses and a hat for my husband. We are already trying to find another occasion to visit. Who knows...maybe we'll try The Founder's Tour next time. Thank you for making my husband's birthday so special. He was smiling for the rest of the day. read more

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Great distillery!!! staff was fantastic! Jeff, Cathy and Alex were amazing hosts!!! Great selection of bourbon!

Beautiful distillery, extraordinary whiskey, better people. This is bar none the best experience in the Hudson valley

Incredible in every way. Visiting Hillrock today was really impressive. Was provided a great tour around the estate and enjoyed tasting some truly unique and impressive spirits. For me, customer service goes a long way and I really enjoyed the tour provided by Douglas. The Estate itself is beautiful. It was snowing today when I visited and I can only imagine how nice everything looks on a nice warm sunny day. I enjoy bourbon. Today, I was surprised that in addition to the bourbon that I genuinely enjoyed a number of the eyes. Big fan of Hillrock and will be back. For as beautiful as the property was, I was happy to find the tour to be laid back while still really informative. read more

Hillrock Estate Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - Ancram, New York

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Super friendly and knowledgeable. Incredible tasting selection. Beautiful place. Phenomenal bourbon! read more

Hillrock Estate Distillery - Whiskey tasting bar. - Distilleries Near Me - Ancram, New York

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John was terrific and the product is excellent. Amazing we will be back!!!!! I wish it was closer........

From the drive up to the distillery to the distilling itself, a positive experience. Remember to make a reservation including samples of whiskies towards the end of the trip. The distillery is surrounded by farmland and is awesome experiencing grain to glass! read more

Great customer service. Treated my group like we were the only people on the tour. The tour was very informative. The tasting was a good experience. read more

Cathy and Jeff the owner are outstanding. Plus the two dogs Spirit and Whiskey. Great tour, great snacks and great great bourbon. Will go again even though there is no need too. read more

Best whiskey distillery in NY State and honestly better than many in Kentucky. Amazing tour and beautiful tasting room - it is always a great experience. Highly recommend to anyone who is into Bourbon and Rye particularly if you like special cask finishes. read more

I had heard so many great things about their whisky and the tour itself and the reality lived up to the hype! We arrived early for our tour, so I was given a bourbon, water and snacks for my wife and I while we waited. It was a wonderful start to the day sitting on the patio enjoying the whisky and enjoying the beautiful location. I've toured many distilleries in the US and Scotland and this was one of the best. Informative, relaxed, it was great. We thoroughly enjoyed the tasting lineup as well as a few extra pours. We left with a few bottles and I'll be sharing mine with others soon. Nothing but praise for all involved! read more

Hillrock Estate Distillery - Enjoying drinks on the patio. - Distilleries Near Me - Ancram, New York

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The estate is gorgeous! We did the Founder's Tour which was amazing! They were very personable and informative. The barrel tastings were a treat. The whiskies were wonderful and the cheese plate pairing was super tasty! I highly recommend it! read more

The tour was informative and interesting. The property was beautiful. The staff was friendly and the drinks and food were delicious. Highly recommended. read more

Hillrock Estate Distillery - Whiskey, tasting and charcuterie. Delicious! - Distilleries Near Me - Ancram, New York

An amazing distillery in the Hudson valley that taking a unique approach to the production process of high end whiskey. read more

Hillrock Estate Distillery - Tasting straight from the barrel - Distilleries Near Me - Ancram, New York

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I visited Hillrock after going apple picking at Fishkill Farms, and we had a great time. Showed up a little before 3pm, walked around to see some things, and started the tour around 3pm. You get to see various parts of the distillery, learn a little bit of history about the estate, then get to consume delicious whiskey. This place is fantastic, well worth the trip and visit, and overall, worth visiting. Omar was absolutely great, and would highly recommend utilizing his friendliness and knowledge while on tour or tasting. read more

We participated in the first "founders tour" on Saturday. A very enjoyable and personalized tour conducted by the family themselves. We also learned about the distilling processes and tasted many of the products. A Beautiful setting inside and outside. The hosts were gracious and readily answered any questions. I have a new appreciation for their products and the care that goes into them Thank you Alex, and Kathy and Jeff. I look forward to visiting again. read more

Unbelievable tour! Highly recommended asking for Alex, if he's available, to be your tour guide. Exceptional service, very knowledgeable, and answered all questions with ease. Highly recommended booking the "Barrel Proof Whiskey Tasting Tour". Our thanks go out to Alex and all the Hillrock staff members we met, we will definitely be returning. read more

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Incredibly personal tour! We learned so much and were amazed to learn about the quality behind the product. The staff were friendly and tailored all to our tastes and curiosity. Can't wait to visit again and buy more of what you can only get there. read more

Our tour presenter, Patrick, was very knowledgeable. He patiently and thoroughly answered our plethora of questions about the Hillrock Estate, the process from grain to finished beverage and so much more. Our tour was intimate, we met the distillers and the blending master, tasted a spirit drawn directly from the barrel using a "thief". What a pleasurable way to spend the afternoon, enjoying delicious bourbon! read more

I am a very long time connoisseur and collector of single malt Scotch whisky and starting to experiment Bourbon and Whiskey for over 2 years now.... Still in my very young stages of Bourbon, I came with family to this Distillery which absolutely surprised me!!! These people have the passion, knowledge and will to make things right.... I am absolutely impressed.... We had a very professional tour of a small "boutique" sized distillery full of love!!! This drives the "juice" they produce to be world class!!!! I had never heard of them and for sure will remain in my collection and drink stash.... They are producing Bourbon of very good quality in Solera (cascade barreling ) style of great quality... very good nose and taste!! Have some cask strengths that are amazing.... They also experience with rye and malt to make their single malt.... Had to buy a rye single malt for my collection that I do not have!!! Wuau.... This is something. Staff was ALL very amicable, knowledgeable and going that extra mile to make this place one I fell in live with.... i will cherish this experience and talk about it in my tastings from now on.... The place is elegant, clean, beautiful and welcoming.... Will come back again hopefully soon!!! Cheers and thats Hillrock! read more

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Doug did a great job explaining the background of the distillery and detailing the process of how their products are carefully and precisely made. Everyone was friendly and accommodating and the tasting was a wonderful experience read more

We came here before they started charging for tastings. The bourbons and ryes were all delicious! The only reason not to give 5 stars was that we felt too much pressure to buy a bottle their service was pushy and their bottles are not cheap. Don't get me wrong, they make some really really good stuff and worth it if you want to buy something. Keep in mind what you pay for a bottle at the distillery is pretty much the same price you'll pay anywhere that sells their bourbons or ryes so don't let them pressure you. Maybe now that they're charging for the tasting they're not so pushy. The ambiance is very nice and clean but it did feel a bit pretentious and uppity. Wine snobs who also like bourbon will love it here. Be prepared that you will be treated like you know nothing about bourbon and that theirs is the best. If a friend were to poor me a glass of their bourbon or rye I'd love it and enjoy it. But for me I'd rather spend my money somewhere else and I won't be going back to visit. read more

First time for going to a distillery. Tim was our guide and after innumerable wine tours and many breweries, he knew more about whisky than I thought possible. He explained patiently the provenance of the casks as well all the nuances of what to look for in a great whisky. Clearly worth the trip. Other couples there who had been on bourbon tours were impressed by the level of detail and knowledge. Kudos to Tim and his team. The bourbon and the varieties are world class. read more

We had a great tour of this impressive operation- it was succinct and well organized. The tasting was excellent, accompanied by a wonderful charcuterie board put together with local producer's items. Finally, the whiskey is great! read more

Dont hesitate on taking a trip to this wonderful distillery. They are a bit off the beaten path but well worth the trip. The facility is a testimony to what can be accomplished when a person with a passion for their craft brings their dream to life. Our husband and wife hosts were warm and happy to engage us in conversation regarding the history of the Distillery and how they produce the award winning products that showcase their dedication to their craft. Finally, how I could I leave without a few bottles of their fine bourbon. I highly recommend making this a destination where you can enjoy a tour, sample their selections, enjoy a light snack, learn about the art of distilling spirits and finally purchase their products which will find a home on the top shelf of my home bar. read more

My husband and I loved our visit here. I am currently pregnant and still enjoyed the tour and the overall grounds. Our tour guide plus other staff members were knowledgeable about the whiskey and made the tour fun and interesting. My husband enjoyed the tasting and the little tray of trail mix they provided with the tasting was fantastic. It's way more fun to do a tasting with little snacks as a chaser or palate cleanser so it made us want to purchase more whiskey. The area itself is beautiful and they let us walk around once everything was over. Definitely recommend a stop here when in the area. read more

What an amazing place for some whiskey tasting if you like whiskey. Relaxing place, great location, great drinking! read more

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This place is in the middle of "scenic nowhere," and if you blink, you might miss it, so definitely do not blink! The folks here know and love what they're doing, and it was a pleasure to do tastings here as well as converse. I came here specifically for their solera aged bourbon, which is finished in sherry casks. They also have a bourbon finished in Cab Sav casks. These were, in a word, fantastic. Their ryes they use are 100% grown in New York. These have a slightly sweet flavor and sticky texture and can almost be served as as dessert beverage. The majority of their beverages are NOT peaty, which matters to some folks. Tastings are $20, but that is refunded if you make a purchase. If you don't wish to make the drive to the distillery and/or pay for tastings, you can also find their products at larger liquor stores in Dutchess County. But you should go there at least once and enjoy the experience. read more

Mixed feelings. Vanity project for wealthy banker. Beautiful piece of property. The tour was extremely interesting, we came to it knowing nothing about brewing bourbon, rye or scotch. It's clear that real thought and money has been spent to create a special product. The con: We bought the most expensive tour option, that was clearly a mistake. The production facilities are tiny so everyone is clearly getting the exact same tour. Our tasting consisted of six pre-poured samples set out as a flight. Our guide went through them quickly. I think for such an expensive cost, the samples should be poured one at a time, tasted and discussed, perhaps tried individually straight and the with water. It was NOT a specialized or individualized experience. So, worth doing but don't overpay like we did. read more

The service at Hillrock was exceptional. The experience was very educational. The staff was very accommodating. The space was very clean and the tasting was awesome along with the wonderful charcuterie board. We spent over 3 hours at the distillery because we were enjoying ourselves! I have recommended Hillrock to several people. read more

The property, service and product at the Hillrock Distillery are one of a kind! I have done the tour twice and it's a great experience. Douglas is an entertaining, knowledgeable and friendly tour guide. The charcuterie tray is substantial and features locally farmed cheeses. The distillery is field to glass - meaning everything about the distillation of their whiskey is done on site. Rye literally grows in the fields that surround the distillery. I would highly recommend a visit, and if you have time the tour to both locals and out of town visitors. read more

Some of the best whiskies I've ever had. Great tour and tasting right from the barrels...such a good experience!

Great tour and tasting at Hillrock. We learned a lot (Omar was a great guide!), but the tour wasn't too long and was the perfect balance of information to actual tasting. We selected the charcuterie tasting option and sat on the back patio. It was perfect weather and we had a wonderful time. Perfect whether you're a whiskey aficionado or novice. We will definitely come back whenever we're in Hudson Valley. read more

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Outstanding experience with outstanding people. Great time there. Will absolutely be returning to hillrock

An amazing tour for an amazing Whiskey. My friends and I have been up there twice from Brooklyn and have had a blast both times. Great whiskey, tasty snacks, kind and smart team there, what more can you ask for? read more

This weekend with friends we toured Hillrock Distillery. Hillrock sells about 1,000 cases of spirits a year versus Maker's Mark's 1.2 million cases a year. Maker's Mark loses more booze a year than Hillrock makes. Our tour guide was Timothy Welly, Head of Operations. Tim is passionate about all things whiskey. He's a walking encyclopedia. The tastings: We tasted 5 Hillrock products neat. Yes, a drop of water does change the flavor profile for the better. The sniffer you take home. Can't explain why tiny bit of water makes a difference Fun Learnings from the Bourbon Tour: * Federal Taxes are paid at time that bourbon goes into the barrel. A tax credit is issued at time of bottling for any evaporation (about 2% per year, depending on barrel size, typically 53 gallon) * New white oak barrel represents about 60% of the cost of making bourbon. No nails or glue are used in making a barrel. The practice of charring the barrel, a legal requirement to make bourbon today, began at a time when barrels had multiple purposes and charring the barrel was used to eliminate fish and other odors before its use to transport whiskey. That's part of the accidental birth of bourbon as we know it today. * A few distilleries such as Hillrock finish their bourbon for a few weeks in used Sherry or wine barrels for added flavor and complexity * Water is added to bourbon at time of bottling to achieve the stated alcohol level...but nothing else may be added to bourbon such as food coloring or inexpensive neutral grain spirits (vodka) as is added to "blended" Canadian Whisky (Canadian Club) or American blended whiskey (Seagram's Seven). [Editorial comment: If there was truth in labeling, US blended whiskey would be re-named Whiskey-flavored Vodka--that's what it really is] * After the bourbon barrels are used up and may not be used again to make bourbon, bourbon barrels are broken down for shipping to Mexico or Scotland and re-assembled for aging of other spirits such as Tequila and Scotch. * Hillrock claims that 80 percent of bourbon flavor comes from aging in the barrel and 20 percent from the strain of yeast and choice of grains used at time of production, such as corn, barley, wheat (softer flavor) and/or rye (spicier flavor). The ingredient list gets the attention but the barrel does the heavy lifting * Relaxation of distillery taxes and licensing has made this all possible. Uncharacteristically for NY State, it is leading the way to promote a new industry. Kudos. I was curious...here's my calculation of the retail value of a 53-gallon barrel of aged Hillrock Bourbon at maturity: $100 retail per bottle * 200627 mL / barrel (53 gallons) ÷ 750mL / bottle * (125 ÷ 92.6) proof adjustment (after water added) * 0.89 (6 years' 2% evaporation per yr) = $32,000 retail value per barrel of Hillrock Solera Bourbon We saw one wall of 55 barrels...that would be worth $1.75mm at retail! Terrific tour, and delightful product. At the end of the tour, we took out a loan and bought our favorite bourbon. With bourbon purchase, the tour is free...only pay tour sales tax. Tip: A fine choice for lunch is The Farmers Wife, 2.5 miles away, in Ancramdale. read more

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The bourbon was incredible. The staff is super friendly and the pour was generous. Can't wait to go back!

What a beautiful place to visit! The tour and tasting took an hour and was a perfect amount of time to experience everything. It's just too bad there is nothing more to explore in the immediate area. Hudson NY is a quick 30 minute drive away. read more

First time going to a distillery. Douglas was our guide. I enjoyed him explaining the Solera process and specifics of the Hillrock method of producing Bourbon. We met Tim as well. They are passionate about their Bourbon, and rightly so. Finishing the tour with bourbon sampling and delicious charcuterie was a perfect finish. read more

Yes! If you have any interest in Whiskey then go check out Hillrock. The tour was surprising and our guide was knowledgeable and interesting. There is very little walking but there are some narrow spaces and stairs on the tour. The whiskey products were excellent and the charcuterie was delicious. I would highly recommend. read more