This was our first of two stops at distilleries and ran across this place and turned around and went here. I didn't know going into the place what to expect. We arrived and the bartender was nice and told us what they had and what you can choose. My wife went with a mix drink and I had to try all of the spirits that are available. They also had beer and wine from other participating locations.
I was able to try 4 different spirtis. I started off which Chief Cinnamon, Wylder Rye, Whitecap Gin & Driftwood Rum. I have to say the range of different whiskeys are across the board from Cinnamon (lot of people have this) but Rye, Vodka,, Gin and Rum. that's a wide range of different types of spirits.
The Whitecap Gin is where I started first. It's 100% locally grown corn sourced from the Finger Lakes region, they double distill this gin with grapefruit, lemon, and orange peel. What that means is that when they distill the gin, they do two runs through the still, the first run is the strip run which strips most the ethanol from the wash and the spirit run would be your second run that will remove the impurities and improve the overall taste and strength of the spirit. I liked the gin it had small amounts of juniper in it is how I like it, tasted citrus tastes, with a slight peppery on the end. It finishes at 90 proof.
The second one that I tried was the "Chief Cinnamon Whiskey" which is made from a bourbon mash, which isn't like others that I've tried. They use three types of cinnamon, sticks, macerate the whiskey with no sweetness added. 70 proof, it has a good taste, still not the best that I've tried but it's tolerable.
The third I tried was the Rye Whiskey with is 86 proof, it utilizes 100% locally grown grains. This whiskey has a bold rye pepperiness on the palate, balanced with a smooth buttery sweet finish. All Rye's have a sweeter note to them.
Lastly I tried the Driftwood Rum, a New York Rum is hard to find I hear, and the first one that I've tried. Made from maple sap and molasses and aged in used bourbon barrels to give it a crisp golden color. This rum is smooth and buttery with hints of brown sugar, molasses, vanilla, and oak comes in at 80 proof. This was my favorite of all the spirits. I purchased (2) bottles to go. Sent one to my co-worker who lives in Florida and originally from New York where he grew up at.
This is a good distillery and stop. It just opened as it will get better. Decent amount of places to sit inside. When you think of the Finger Lakes, you don't think of distilleries, just grapes but they are expanding to many different places. read more