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I visited on Sunday and joined the Top Shelf Tour with my wife, guided by John.
It was our first distillery tour, and even though we were the only guests that day because it was Sunday, the tour was not canceled and instead felt almost like a private tour. From the very beginning, John gave clear and detailed explanations and answered all of our questions thoroughly. By the time we reached the tasting portion, we had already learned a great deal about whiskey.
We were able to see and examine the actual ingredients used in the mash bill, and we even had the chance to taste the moonshine. The tour never felt rushed, and we had plenty of time at each stage to ask questions and discuss what we were seeing.
Kings County may not be an old distillery, but I was especially impressed by its approach to whiskey making. Rather than prioritizing production efficiency, they use pot stills and focus on small-batch production. At the same time, while producing American bourbon as a true New York local distillery using New York-grown corn, they also incorporate elements of Scotch whisky production by using malted barley from the UK. I found that combination particularly interesting.
We tasted four whiskeys during the tour: Straight Bourbon, Peated Bourbon, Empire Rye, and Empire Rye Barrel Strength. Each had its own distinctive character. The Straight Bourbon had the familiar qualities of a classic bourbon, but with subtle differences that made it interesting. The Peated Bourbon was especially memorable. It felt almost like a fusion of Scotch whisky and American bourbon, and I thought it expressed the unique character of Kings County very well. It was also simply delicious. The rye whiskeys were particularly impressive on the nose.
After visiting Kings County, I definitely wanted to take some whiskey home, both for myself and as gifts. In the end, I bought four 200ml bottles of the Peated Bourbon, which was my favorite from the tasting. While making my purchase, I was also offered additional samples of another American single malt and the Peated Bourbon Barrel Strength at no extra charge, which was a very nice bonus and gave me the chance to experience even more of their lineup.
Most of all, I would like to thank John for giving us such an excellent tour. His explanations, knowledge, and willingness to answer all of our questions made the experience especially memorable.
I was 100% satisfied with the entire tour experience and would absolutely recommend the Top Shelf Tour to anyone interested in whiskey. If you are visiting New York and enjoy whiskey—or even if you are just starting to learn about it—I highly recommend making a visit to Kings County Distillery.
