They operate as a traditional whiskey distillery, making their whiskeys and bourbons using the same techniques that were in use before prohibition. If you are interested in the history and craft of fine whiskey making or you just want to sample the wares of one of the finest spirit makers on the east coast, it is worth taking a trip to Brooklyn and visiting Kings County Distillery.
Whiskey is a spirit made from fermented grain mash and aged in wooden casks, and it is one of the world's oldest and most heavily regulated distilling traditions. There are numerous varieties based on the precise make-up of the grain mash used to ferment the beverage, including rye, barley and corn (which legally defines bourbon as bourbon). While there is debate over the exact origins of bourbon (Kentucky and New Orleans both have competing folk etymologies for the history of the whiskey), it has been distilled in America consistently since it was developed in the 18th century. King County Distillery counts itself among this long tradition and aims to bring the history and process of bourbon making to life through its guided tours and tasting classes.
What is Kings County Distillery?
Kings County Distillery is the oldest operating whiskey distillery in New York State and was the first to open following the repeal of prohibition. This makes it one of the most storied institutions in the city, and it has been operating out of the Brooklyn Navy Yard since 2010. They operate a small distillery, only making whiskey from hand-selected New York grains, and they were named Distillery of the Year by the American Distilling Institute in 2016. As one of the country’s oldest and most storied distilleries, Kings County Distillery is a must-visit for any whiskey, bourbon or moonshine aficionado.
What Are Classes Like?
Open to the public on Sundays, Kings County Distillery regularly hosts various tasting events and tours of the facility. During these events, participants will get to learn about the history of distilling and of New York’s distinctive relationship with the craft. In addition, you’ll learn how whiskey experts sample and taste whiskey to maximize the flavor profile. You may even discover some new drinks along the way.
Whiskey is one of the drinks that shaped the history of America, from the whiskey rebellions to Prohibition and the rise of organized crime. In these guided tours and tasting events, students will learn about the rich history of whiskey production and how the spirit contributed to the tapestry of the nation. If you are a fan of history or of whiskey, spending an afternoon participating in a tour or tasting is sure to be a treat.
What Classes Do They Offer?
As a historic landmark, King County Distillery regularly offers guided Weekday and Weekendtours. During these tours, attendees will be guided through the Paymaster Building and stand on the distillery floor to get an up close and personal look at the process of mashing, fermenting and bottling whiskey, bourbon and moonshine. Then, participants will be taken into the barrel room and learn how the aging process contributes to the flavor profile of any given whiskey (as well as how the aging process contributes to certain other qualities of the whiskey, like how King County uses Scottish barrels to create a unique flavor profile). At the end of the tour, participants can sample a moonshine, a straight bourbon, a peated bourbon and a chocolate bourbon.
If you are more interested in how the bourbon tastes relative to how it is made, you can sign up for the one-hour Whiskey Tasting class. In this course, you’ll receive a five-whiskey flight including straight Bourbon, peated Bourbon, Bottled in Bond Bourbon, a seasonal infusion, and a chocolate Whiskey. During the tasting, an accredited whiskey master will reveal how professionals taste, nose and evaluate a whiskey to determine if it is worth selling. Students will be encouraged to create their own tasting notes, and the course encourages interaction and engagement with the whiskey and the host. All of the samples provided are half an ounce (more than enough for an experienced whiskey expert to gauge the subtleties of the mash), and additional bourbon is available for purchase on-site.
If you are looking for something slightly fancier, Kings County Distillery also offers a “Top Shelf” Distillery Tour. During this tour, participants will get to visit the distilling floor and learn about the history of whiskey-making in New York City. They will also visit the barrel room and learn how top-shelf whiskey is made and aged and what makes it different from so-called “bottom shelf” whiskeys. At the end of the tour, you’ll get a chance to sample a collection of expensive whiskeys, including a Kings County moonshine, a straight and a peated bourbon and one of the distillery's limited edition allocated reserves. This tour is a great opportunity for whiskey and bourbon lovers to sample the finest top-shelf options available at the brewery, and more whiskey is on hand at the bar once the tour is concluded.
What Else is There to Know?
Since this is a whiskey distillery, participants in all classes and tours must be at least 21 years of age and have a photo ID on hand. Tours do involve a small amount of walking, including going up and down stairs, but it is not an intensive workout. All participants will be able to sample a range of whiskeys at the end of the classes and tours, and there is an onsite bar area for you to purchase bottles of bourbon and moonshine directly from the distillery.
Kings County Distillery has won numerous awards for the quality of its output, including the 2016 Distillery of the Year award. Their signature mash was named the #2 craft bourbon in the nation by New York Timescritic Eric Asimov and the American Spirits Council of Tasters named their Rye Whiskey as craft Rye of the Year in 2021.
To find more whiskey classes and tours or mixology classes, consider exploring the options made available to you through CourseHorse.