Old Scotland Road Distillery
About the Distillery
Old Scotland Road Distillery is located in Akron, in the heart of Western New York, and produces the Handlebar line under Master Distiller Dean. The distillery is fundamentally family-rooted—built on land owned by the Hyder family for three generations—and officially opened in late summer 2020. Production combines locally sourced grain, small batches, and a recipe-driven approach, and the range spans from unaged moonshine and spiced liqueurs to aged bourbon and rye expressions.
History
The story starts with Dean, born and raised in Akron, who after many years working in other industries decided to pursue a craft dream. In March 2019 he left Corporate America to build a legal distillery in the Town of Newstead. The distillery sits on land that has belonged to the Hyder family for three generations, and the operation officially opened in late summer 2020 in the middle of a global pandemic. Since opening, the site has emphasized its local roots, veteran background, and familial atmosphere, with Dean serving as the visible face and Master Distiller. Inspiration is partly drawn from the improvisational creativity associated with historic moonshiners, while modern, safe methods are used.
Raw Materials and Production
Production at Old Scotland Road is recipe-driven and operates in small, handcrafted batches. The raw materials are New York-sourced grains, and the most prominent grains in the mash bills are corn, rye, wheat, and barley. Fermentation lasts about two weeks and uses an all-natural heat/cool cycle. Distillation is performed on copper pot stills; moonshine variants are double distilled in copper pot stills. The products are hand-bottled and filled at fixed proof levels (for example 90 and 100 proof for some varieties). The process combines traditional techniques from home distillation with modern equipment and control.
Aging and Barrel Types
Aging is used primarily for bourbon and some rye varieties. The bourbon is aged in new American oak barrels (New American White Oak), while other aged products are described as small-batch aging without detailed barrel descriptions. Several of the distillery's products are unaged moonshines or liqueurs, meaning that barrel choice and age are usually most relevant for the few aged bottles in the range.
The Whiskies
The range covers unaged white corn and moonshine products, various rye and bourbon expressions, as well as flavored products and liqueurs. The core range is marketed under 'Handlebar Handcrafted' and includes White Corn Whiskey (un-aged), White Rye, Traditional American Moonshine, Cinnamon Moonshine, Krupnik (honey liqueur) and a Krupnik Cream. There is also a small-batch bourbon and an aged rye, which at times are sold out online. The products are sold via our own webshop with shipments to select U.S. states and through local shops and restaurants in Western New York.
| Whiskey | Type / Series | Alcohol | Age | Barrel and Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handlebar Handcrafted White Corn Whiskey | White Corn Whiskey | 45 % | Un-aged | Un-aged 'modern moonshine' made from a mash bill of 70% corn, 20% rye, 5% barley and 5% wheat. Handcrafted in small batches and described as the company's most award-winning whiskey.; Nose: Sweet corn-dominated aroma; Taste: Sweet corn flavor balanced by rye; Finish: A bit of a 'white lightning' kick | Current; Core Range; Online Shop; shipping to select American states and through local retailers in Western New York | |
| Handlebar Handcrafted White Rye Whiskey | Rye Whiskey | 45 % | 90 proof rye whiskey with a mash bill of 75% rye, 15% corn, 5% wheat and 5% barley. Described as spicy, unique and very smooth.; Nose: Spicy rye aroma; Taste: Rye spice and balanced grain character; Finish: Long finish with rye and oak notes | Current; Core Range; Online Shop; shipping to select American states and local retailers | ||
| Handlebar Handcrafted Traditional American Moonshine | Moonshine (100% corn) | 50 % | Un-aged | 100 proof moonshine made from 100% corn and double copper pot distilled as a 'back woods style' product.; Nose: Sweet corn aroma; Taste: Sweet corn on the palate with a clear moonshine kick; Finish: Strong, but controlled kick | Current; Core Range; Online Shop; shipping to select American states and local retailers | |
| Handlebar Handcrafted Cinnamon Moonshine | Flavoured Moonshine | 45 % | Un-aged | 90 proof moonshine with White Corn Whiskey as a base and natural cinnamon sticks, which provide color and a light cinnamon flavor.; Nose: Cinnamon and sweet corn; Taste: White corn base with natural cinnamon; Finish: Light cinnamon warmth | Current; Core Range; Online Shop; shipping to select American states and local retailers | |
| Handlebar Handcrafted Krupnik | Honey Liqueur (Krupnik) | A traditional Polish-inspired honey liqueur made by combining cinnamon moonshine with honey, citrus zest and a range of spices.; Nose: Honey and spices; Taste: Cinnamon- and citrus notes combined with honey and spice blend; Finish: Sweet and lightly spiced finish | Current; Core Range; Online Shop; shipping to select American states and local retailers | |||
| Handlebar Handcrafted Dreamy Krupnik Cream | Cream Liqueur | Cream liqueur created by blending Handlebar Krupnik with a proprietary cream liqueur base; suitable over ice or in coffee.; Nose: Creamy and sweet; Taste: Combination of krupnik and creamy liqueur base; Finish: Soft, creamy finish | Current; Core Range; Online Shop; shipping to select American states and local retailers | |||
| Handlebar Handcrafted Bourbon Whiskey | Bourbon | 45 % | New American White Oak barrels | Flagship small-batch bourbon, bottled at 90 proof and aged in new American oak barrels. Highlighted as the distillery's flagship.; Nose: Notes of oak and vanilla; Taste: Maple sugar candy and butterscotch mentioned in the description; Finish: Long, warm finish (described in the product text) | Sold out; Core Range; Labeled as 'Out of Stock' in the online shop; local retailers may have stock | |
| Handlebar Handcrafted Rye Whiskey (aged) | Rye Whiskey (Aged) | 45 % | Aged small-batch four-grain rye whiskey; described as robust and suitable for rye enthusiasts.; Nose: Rye spice and oak; Taste: Robust rye character with a longer finish; Finish: Long finish with spice and oak notes | Sold out; Core Range; Labeled as 'Out of Stock' in the online shop; local retailers may have stock |
The Whiskies’ Styles and Flavor Profiles
Several of the product descriptions point to three recurring flavor directions: sweet corn and honey (especially in White Corn Whiskey and Krupnik), spice and rye character (in the rye variants and in the spiced moonshines) as well as oak and vanilla notes in the aged bourbon expressions. Additionally, cinnamon is specifically mentioned in Cinnamon Moonshine and citrus zest in Krupnik, giving the range a combination of sweetness, spice, and wood-derived aromas.
Visiting the Distillery
The tasting room sits directly at the distillery and features an outdoor patio, which is heated and fenced and open year-round. Visitors can drop in more informally or request a guided tour with the Master Distiller via a booking form; tours can also be scheduled on weekends at a preferred time from noon to late afternoon. The stated opening hours are Monday–Saturday 12:00–17:00, and visitors are encouraged to request tours in advance for more detailed walkthroughs of the process.
The stated opening hours are Mon – Sat: 12:00 – 17:00.
Philosophy and Craft
The distillery’s philosophy centers on recipes, family, and craft. Production in small batches with New York-sourced grains and an open, educational approach from the Master Distiller are core elements. The site also highlights its veteran background, local roots, and a respect for both the ingenuity of home distillation and modern quality standards.
Awards and Recognitions
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Platinum for Handlebar Handcrafted White Corn Whiskey (Platinum, Handlebar Handcrafted White Corn Whiskey)
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Platinum for Krupnik (Platinum, Handlebar Handcrafted Krupnik)
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Silver for Handlebar Handcrafted White Rye (Silver, Handlebar Handcrafted White Rye Whiskey)