Buffalo Distilling Company
Overview
Buffalo Distilling Company is a craft distillery in the Larkin District of Buffalo, New York. Revived in 2012 and moved back to the city in 2016, the distillery consistently works with New York State ingredients and has designed and installed its own pot-stills, a mash tank, and a steam system. On-site there is a cocktail bar and a tasting room, and the company combines local agricultural pride with direct sales and public offerings such as tours and tastings.
History
The story begins in a barn in Wyoming County, where a home-built pot-still and a local moonshiner called "Cowboy Bob" gave the first lessons in distilling. In 2012 the project was formally established with an application for DSP and New York's Class D Farm permit, which led to a commitment to use New York State ingredients (the distillery states that they use 100%) and the opportunity for direct sales. In 2016 the team moved back to Buffalo and occupied Duchmann and Son’s old carriage factory from 1890 at 860 Seneca Street in the Larkin District. Here they built their own production facilities and opened a cocktail bar and tasting room. The story, however, goes further back; the name Buffalo Distilling Company traces back to 1883, when Gustav Fleischmann established a previous business under the same name, which went dormant in 1914.
Raw materials and production
Production is centered around New York State ingredients: the distillery uses 100% New York State-grown produce and operates under the conditions of the Class D Farm permit, which also enables direct sales to consumers and local retailers. The initial experiments took place in a barn with a homemade pot-still, and today the team has designed and installed custom pot-stills, a mash tank, and a steam system. Distillation takes place with pot-stills, and the plant's layout reflects a practical engineering focus and a close connection to local ingredients.
Whiskeys
The available material describes production of a range of spirits with a focus on whiskey and gin, as well as related offerings such as a whiskey club. The webshop sells tickets for tours, memberships, and merchandise, but there are no detailed official product pages with full specifications for bottles, age, or aging in the provided content.
General flavor profile
Visit the Distillery
The distillery welcomes visitors to the cocktail bar and tasting room and offers guided tours and tastings. Visits can be booked via the contact form, and the webshop contains a ticket for a "Deluxe Buffalo Distillery Tour and Tasting." Opening hours are Tue and Wed 10:00–21:00 (cocktails from 16:00); Thu 10:00–21:00 (cocktails from 14:00); Fri 10:00–23:00 (cocktails from 14:00); Sat 13:00–23:00 (cocktails all day). Sunday and Monday closed. The team also handles requests for events, catering, and distributor agreements.
The stated opening hours are Tue & Wed 10:00–21:00 (cocktails from 16:00); Thu 10:00–21:00 (cocktails from 14:00); Fri 10:00–23:00 (cocktails from 14:00); Sat 13:00–23:00 (cocktails all day); Sun & Mon closed.
Philosophy and Craftsmanship
The distillery's core values include a consistent use of local ingredients and practical, self-built craftsmanship. Through the Class D Farm permit, they emphasize direct contact with consumers and local retailers, while prioritizing internal design and construction of distilling equipment and a local presence via the bar and tasting room.