Finger Lakes Distilling Company
Overview of the Distillery
Finger Lakes Distilling sits on the slopes of Seneca Lake and is the region's first independent distillery. As a New York State farm distillery, they use locally grown grains and fruits in a broad palette of handcrafted spirits. The distillery's visible stills in the tasting room, the classically inspired architectural expression, and a strong McKenzie whiskey line make the place a natural stop for the curious whiskey lover.
History
Finger Lakes Distilling began as a company in 2007 and quickly established a foothold in the region. After New York's farm distillery law was in place in the same year, construction of the distillery in Burdett began in 2008, and the first Holstein pot still was installed in December 2008, marking the start of production. The tasting room opened in 2009, and in 2010 the first McKenzie Bourbon was released. In the ensuing years, the distillery grew organically: a Vendome continuous-column still arrived in 2013, a barrel house was completed in 2015, and in 2019 they marked their 10-year anniversary with the release of a 10-year-old single malt.
Raw materials and Production
Finger Lakes Distilling primarily works with locally grown ingredients: rye, corn, barley (malted and unmalted), oats, and a range of regional fruits and grapes. They use both a 350-gallon Holstein pot still with a 20-foot rectification column and a 25-foot continuous column still with copper thumper from Vendome; the pot still and the column are visible from the tasting room. Apple brandy is produced from cider fermented in open-top fermenters, while grappa is produced as a pomace distillation of grapes with skins, seeds and juice. Flavored vodka and liqueurs are made by infusing whole fruits without the use of synthetic flavors, and some products undergo additional distillation steps for balance and finesse.
Aging and Barrel Types
The distillery's spirits age in oak barrels; some rye expressions receive a finish in local sherry barrels, and several brandies and liqueurs rest in McKenzie Bourbon barrels. The facility includes a barrel house/warehouse for maturation, and the whiskies are allowed to rest in wood until the distillery judges that they have achieved the desired maturity. This flexible approach is used to tailor a balance between fruit, spice, and oak influence.
The Whiskies
The portfolio centers on the McKenzie family of whiskies: several bourbons (including a Bottled-in-Bond edition), rye variants, a 10-year single malt, pure pot still whiskey, corn whiskey and a blended expression for cocktails. In addition to whiskey, the distillery produces grape- and apple brandies, grappa, a range of liqueurs, and grape-derived vodkas. The products consistently build on local ingredients and range from widely available bottles to limited small-batch releases.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Alcohol | Age | Barrel and Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McKenzie Straight Bourbon | Bourbon | Oak barrels | A rich and spicy bourbon with a mash bill of New York-grown grains; highlights caramel and vanilla and finishes dry with a hint of rye spice. | Active; Core Range | ||
| McKenzie Bottled in Bond Bourbon | Bourbon (Bottled-in-Bond) | 50 % | Minimum 4 years | Oak barrels | Bottled-in-Bond edition, aged at least four years and bottled at 50% ABV; aRobust, well-balanced bourbon with a broad profile. | Active; Core Range |
| McKenzie Small Batch Bourbon | Bourbon (Small Batch) | Oak barrels | Annually produced in limited quantities; based on a 4-grain mash bill, all locally grown, with expected vanilla, caramel, oak and a signature spice. | Limited | ||
| McKenzie Straight Rye | Rye | Local sherry barrels; finish: Aged in local sherry casks to balance rye spice | Rye whiskey made from New York-grown grain; finishes in local sherry casks to balance the spice. | Active; Core Range | ||
| McKenzie Bottled-in-Bond Rye | Rye (Bottled-in-Bond) | 50 % | Oak barrels | Bottled-in-Bond edition of the distillery's Empire Rye, bottled at 50% ABV to highlight the rye's spice. | Active; Core Range | |
| McKenzie American Straight Malt (10 years) | Single Malt | 10 years | Oak barrels | 10-year-old American single malt, one of the distillery's older age expressions and a marker of their single malt expertise. | Active; Core Range | |
| McKenzie Pure Pot Still Whiskey | Pure Pot Still | Oak barrels | An Irish-inspired pot-distilled whiskey made from New York-grown unmalted and malted barley as well as oats; aims for complexity and approachability. | Active; Core Range | ||
| Glen Thunder Corn Whiskey | Corn Whiskey | Unaged | The distillery's interpretation of moonshine: a classic, unaged corn whiskey primarily made from locally grown, non-GMO corn. | Active | ||
| Mac’s American Blended Whiskey | Blended American Whiskey | An economical, cocktail-friendly blended whiskey consisting of 75% straight McKenzie whiskey and distilled entirely at Finger Lakes Distilling. | Active |
Whiskies’ Style and Flavor Profile
The whiskies cover several directions: the bourbon expressions draw on caramel and vanilla from oak aging; the rye expressions highlight rye spice, and certain expressions show darker notes like nougat, dark chocolate, and dried red fruit, especially when sherry casks or wine finishes are used. These elements recur across the McKenzie line, giving a coherent style with both sweetness, spice, and vinous undertones.
Visiting the Distillery
The distillery offers an open tasting room year-round with opportunities for flights and cocktails. There are guided tours and special experiences, including 'Make Your Own Gin' and 'Make Your Own Whiskey,' and visitors are encouraged to book experiences via the distillery's booking system. The site is dog-friendly, and there is both a physical tasting room/visitor centre as well as an online shop and merchandise. Opening hours follow a weekly schedule with broad afternoon and evening options on weekends.
The stated hours are Monday 11:00 AM — 6:00 PM; Tuesday 11:00 AM — 6:00 PM; Wednesday 11:00 AM — 6:00 PM; Thursday 11:00 AM — 8:00 PM; Friday 11:00 AM — 8:00 PM; Saturday 11:00 AM — 8:00 PM; Sunday 11:00 AM — 6:00 PM.
Philosophy and Craftsmanship
Finger Lakes Distilling builds its approach on traditional distilling heritage combined with local ingredient utilization. The architecture and visible production signal respect for classic methods, while the commitment to using local fruits and grains, avoiding artificial flavors, and letting spirits rest in barrels to maturity underscores a craft-focused focus.
Awards and Recognitions
- Best New York Craft Spirit Award (Three-time winner, Seneca Drums Gin)