The New York State Distillers Guild this week announced the results of the fourth annual New York State Distilled Spirits Competition, which it produced in partnership with the Raise a Glass Foundation.
New York State Distillers Guild president Brian Facquet, founder and distiller of Do Good Spirits, said in a press release, “Congratulations to all the distilleries that won awards in our fourth annual New York State Distilled Spirits Competition. The awards highlight the incredible quality and diversity of spirits produced all across the Empire State. It’s a testament to the grit of our distillers – almost all small business owners – that they were able to produce this caliber of spirits even during this pandemic year.”
This year’s Best of Show award – the Governor’s Cup – went to Old Scotland Road Distillery, LLC in Akron, NY, for their Handlebar Handcrafted White Corn Whiskey. “First of all, congratulations to all of the distilleries who entered the New York State Distilled Spirits Competition, and to the all of the award winners! We are both excited and humbled to have been recognized with the Governor’s Cup for “Best in Show’! We look forward to not only using this recognition to help our upstart business, but also to carry on the mission of the New York State Distillers Guild. We all strive to make the very best distilled spirits possible, and the resources and networking opportunities offered in the Guild are key. Most importantly, thanks to Almighty God for giving us the strength and courage to embark on this wonderful journey!”, said Dean Hyder, distiller and manager of Old Scotland Road Distillery, LLC.
The distinction of New York State Distillery of the Year was almost too close to call with three distilleries’ scores within one percent of each other.
The award went to St. Lawrence Spirits in Clayton, with a score of 415.25 points.
The Guild also congratulates Albany Distilling Company, which came in second with a score of 414.75 points, and Old Home Distillers which came in third with 411.5 points.
Jody Garrett, owner/distiller of Saint Lawrence Spirits, said, “There were 3 winners and we share the accomplishment with them. Our Craft distilling in NY continues to get better and better. We are very happy to hang the NY State Distillery of the year Banner in our distillery.”
“A tight competition speaks to the overall quality of distilling in New York state,” noted Adam Carvell, co-owner/chief of operations of Old Home Distillers. “Seeing producers from three different regions of Upstate rank so highly is a testament to how far our industry has come.”
Other major category winners were:
American Craft Whiskey
Gold: Kings County Distillery (Brooklyn, Kings County) Kings County Distillery Peated Bourbon
Bronze: Saint Lawrence Spirits (Clayton, Jefferson County) Flagship American Straight Whiskey
Bronze: Saint Lawrence Spirits (Clayton, Jefferson County) Ice Breaker Whiskey Barrel Strength
Bronze: The Albany Distilling Company (Albany, Albany County) Ironweed Straight Malt
American Rye Whiskey
Silver: Van Brunt Stillhouse (Brooklyn, Kings County) Empire Rye
Bronze: Tuthilltown Spirits (Gardiner, Ulster County) Hudson Back Room Deal Whiskey
Bronze: Tuthilltown Spirits (Gardiner, Ulster County) Hudson Do The Rye Thing Whiskey
American Straight Rye Whiskey
Gold: The Albany Distilling Company (Albany, Albany County) Ironweed Rye
Gold: Five & 20 Sprits & Brewing (Westfield, Chautauqua County Straight Rye
Gold: Lock 1 Distilling Company (Phoenix, Oswego County) F.A Waldron Premier Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey
Silver: Kings County Distillery (Brooklyn, Kings County) Kings County Distillery Empire Rye
Bronze: Old Home Distillers (Lebanon, Madison County) King Mayhem Straight Rye Whiskey
Bronze: Yankee Distillers (Clifton Park, Saratoga County) Yankee Distillers Straight Rye Whiskey
Gin
Gold: Halftone Spirits (Brooklyn, Kings County) Halftone Gin
Silver: Saint Lawrence Spirits (Clayton, Jefferson County) Downbound Gin Barreled
Bronze: 1911 Established Distillery (Lafayette, Onondaga) 1911 Gin
Bronze: Dennings Point Distillery (Beacon, Dutchess County) Great 9 Gin
Bronze: Halftone Spirits (Brooklyn, Kings County) Halftone London Dry Gin
Bronze: Old Home Distillers (Lebanon, Madison County) Barrel Rested Gin
Bronze: Old Home Distillers (Lebanon, Madison County) Gin
Bronze: Saint Lawrence Spirits (Clayton, Jefferson County) Downbound Gin
Small Batch Bourbon 10 Yrs. & Younger
Gold: Kings County Distillery (Brooklyn, Kings County) Kings County Distillery Barrel Strength Bourbon
Silver: The Albany Distilling Company (Albany, Albany County) Ironweed Bourbon
Silver: Saint Lawrence Spirits (Clayton, Jefferson County) Kentucky Son Straight Bourbon Barrel Strength
Bronze: Breuckelen Distilling (Brooklyn, Kings County) 77 Bourbon Wheated
Bronze: Lock 1 Distilling Company (Phoenix, Oswego County) F.A Waldron Premier Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bronze: Old Home Distillers (Lebanon, Madison County) Field Days Bourbon Whiskey
Bronze: Tuthilltown Spirits (Gardiner, Ulster County) Hudson Bright Lights, Big Bourbon Whiskey
Straight Bourbon
Gold: Kings County Distillery (Brooklyn, Kings County) Kings County Distillery Straight Bourbon
Silver: 1911 Established Distillery (Lafayette, Onondaga) 1911 Bourbon Whiskey
Silver: Yankee Distillers (Clifton Park, Saratoga County) Yankee Distillers Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bronze: Saint Lawrence Spirits (Clayton, Jefferson County) Kentucky Son Straight Bourbon
Attached to this release is a list of the award winners in all categories, including American Single Malt Whiskey, Corn Vodka, Corn Whiskey, Corn Whiskey Moonshine, Cream/Dairy Liqueurs, Eau-De-Vie, Fruit Liqueur, Gin Flavored, Gin Genever, Grappa, Non-Aged Whiskey, Reposado Tequila, Rum Dark / Gold, Rum White and Vodka Flavored.