Second Act Spirits, a New York Farm Distillery celebrated for its commitment to local ingredients and artisanal craftsmanship, today announced the highly anticipated release of their Clocktower Bourbon Barrel Proof Whiskey. This new expression offers an unadulterated experience of its 2024 John Barleycorn Gold Medal-winning Clocktower Bourbon, bottled directly from the barrel at just over 116 proof. This special five-year-old release will be available at the Second Act Spirits tasting room in Amsterdam, NY, and at select liquor stores across New York State starting on Saturday May 31.
Aged for five years in new, charred American oak barrels, Clocktower Barrel Proof is bottled without dilution, capturing the spirit’s robust and complex flavor profile developed during its maturation. While the original Clocktower Bourbon is lauded for its notes of buttery caramel, creamy vanilla, and a subtle oak presence leading to a smooth, complex finish, the Barrel Proof version is anticipated to offer an intensified experience. Drinkers can expect these familiar, beloved notes to be magnified, presenting deeper caramel and toffee, more pronounced toasted oak, and a fiery, lingering spice characteristic of high-proof bourbons. The 5-year aging process is crucial, allowing the spirit to extract significant character from the wood, balancing the inherent intensity of a barrel-proof offering with developed smoothness and complexity.
This release builds upon the success of the original Clocktower Bourbon, which received a Gold Medal at the 2024 John Barleycorn Awards, an accolade recognizing excellence in spirits. The introduction of a barrel-proof iteration is a natural progression, catering to the growing segment of whiskey enthusiasts who actively seek out higher-proof expressions for their concentrated flavors and authentic character. It’s a move that reflects a distillery’s confidence in its spirit’s inherent quality, showcasing the unmasked results of meticulous distillation and aging.
Second Act Spirits, founded by a husband-and-wife team with over 30 years in the craft beverage business, operates as a New York Farm Distillery. This designation underscores their unwavering commitment to utilizing locally sourced New York ingredients, fostering strong partnerships with local farmers, and contributing to the region’s agricultural heritage. The distillery’s name itself, “Second Act,” speaks to the founders’ renewed passion and the wealth of experience they bring to this venture, aiming to create truly exceptional artisanal beverages. Their tasting room is uniquely situated in the historic Amsterdam Clocktower, a century-old landmark that adds a layer of local history and character to the visitor experience.
“We are incredibly excited to introduce the Clocktower Bourbon Barrel Proof to our community and to bourbon lovers across New York,” say Rich and Stacey Michaels, co-founders of Second Act Spirits. “This release is a direct reflection of our ‘second act’ philosophy – taking our passion and experience to new heights. Presenting our award-winning Clocktower Bourbon in its undiluted, barrel-proof form allows enthusiasts to experience the full intensity and complexity that we, as distillers, get to appreciate straight from the cask. It’s a bold, authentic expression, and we believe it truly showcases the quality of New York grains and our dedication to the craft.”
Clocktower Bourbon Barrel Proof will be available for purchase at the Second Act Spirits tasting room located at 37 Prospect Street, Amsterdam, NY. The tasting room hours are Thursday and Friday, 4 pm – 8 pm; Saturday, 2 pm – 8 pm; and Sunday, Noon – 6 pm. It will also be rolling out to select premier liquor stores throughout New York State. Consumers are encouraged to ask for it at their favorite local retailers.
The growing demand for craft spirits with authentic narratives and transparent sourcing is a significant trend in the beverage alcohol industry. New York State’s craft distilling scene has seen remarkable growth, with farm distilleries playing a crucial role in connecting consumers with locally produced, high-quality spirits and bolstering the state’s agricultural economy. The recent legislative support for direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping in New York further opens avenues for distilleries like Second Act Spirits to reach a wider audience. This new barrel-proof offering aligns perfectly with these consumer desires for authenticity, robust flavor, and a connection to the spirit’s origin and makers.