Tirado Distillery
Overview of the Distillery
Tirado Distillery is a small Bronx distillery led by Renee Hernandez, a physician with a background in organic chemistry. The distillery produces corn whiskey, rum, and experimental maple-based spirits using ingredients from New York state farms, and works with short barrel ages and filtration methods inspired by Puerto Rican practices. The products are distributed locally in New York City.
History
The idea for Tirado Distillery arose after a visit to the Bacardi facility in San Juan, where Renee Hernandez was inspired to create her own distillery in her hometown of the Bronx. His education in organic chemistry and work as a physician are recurring parts of the story, and 2014 media coverage highlighted the distillery as the first whiskey- and rum-distillery in the Bronx since Prohibition. The name Tirado is a tribute to his mother's surname, and Hernandez has expressed a desire to use any funds to support cancer awareness and research.
Raw Materials and Production
The raw material base is built on local supplies: around 80% of the ingredients come from New York state farms, including corn and maple. The distillery works with fermenting both grains and maple syrup and adjusts proof and filtration methods to achieve a smoother spirit. The production approach is described as applying chemical insight in practice, and experiments with short aging periods in charred oak barrels instead of traditional long aging.
Maturation and Barrel Types
Maturation is carried out experimentally in charred oak barrels, where Hernandez describes a procedure with only three months of aging, which he believes can deliver flavor impressions comparable to much longer aging. This short barrel aging is used together with reduction of alcohol strength and filtration to create a softer profile.
Whiskies
The range includes rum (e.g., Tirado Gold and generally 'smooth rum'), corn whiskey, maple-based spirits (including Tirado Maple Delight), and a fruit-forward whiskey called El Caribe. The products are marketed primarily in the New York City area and are also sold via the distillery's website. A common thread across the range is a focus on local ingredients and tested short aging methods.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Cask and Style | Flavor profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tirado Gold | Rum | Oak barrels (charred) | Rum produced by reducing proof, using filtration procedures and short aging to achieve a smoother profile. | Current; Distributed in the New York City area, including the Bronx, East Village and West Village; available via the distillery's website. |
| Tirado Maple Delight | Maple-based spirit | Oak barrels (charred) | An experimental product created by fermenting, distilling, and aging maple syrup. | Current; Distributed in the New York City area; sold via the distillery's website. |
| El Caribe | Whiskey | Oak barrels (charred) | A sweeter whiskey, which according to the owner incorporates apricots and other fruits to achieve a soft, distinguished profile. | Current; Distributed in the New York City area. |
| Tirado Corn Whiskey | Corn whiskey | Corn whiskey produced with corn from New York state farms as part of the distillery's local ingredient focus. | Current; Distributed in the Bronx, East Village and West Village as well as via the distillery's website. | |
| Tirado Smooth Rum | Rum | A general designation for the distillery's rum products, highlighted as smooth through filtration and barrel procedures. | Current; Distributed in the New York City area. |
The whiskies' style and flavor profile
Three recurring directions emerge: fruitiness (apricots and other fruits mentioned for El Caribe), noticeable sweetness in several products, and an overall softness or 'smoothness' attributed to filtration and barrel procedures as well as adjusted alcohol strength.
Philosophy and Craft
Tirado prioritizes local ingredients and an organic approach without pesticides, while the owner seeks to combine craft with social engagement. The distillery's identity draws on family roots and a goal of being a role model in the local community as well as supporting cancer causes through future initiatives.
Sustainability
Organic production without the use of pesticides.
A high proportion of local ingredients from New York state farms.