Hall Island

History

• Hall Island Distillery was officially launched in 2017 by friends Dave Benton and Andy Casey. Dave handcrafted the stills, while Andy worked on creating the first batches of pure spirits. After a year of small batches, Triple E Vodka was born, and the story took off from there.

• The distillery is located on Hall Island in the Cicero Swamp, Central New York, and rests on a family-friendly background: Ann Benton grew up on the property, whose farm and heritage trace back to the 1930s during the Depression. The facility's ethos is supported by tradition, hard work, and thrift, which is also reflected in the way materials are reused or repurposed (e.g., a 1967 soup kettle as the base for one of the stills).

• Production leans on a historical approach with a focus on local ingredients and craftsmanship, and later expansion to new spirit offerings such as Foxtail and Wetland Whiskey as part of an expanding range.

Production

• Hall Island produces spirits in the USA using 100% New York State corn, contributing to a clean and smooth flavor.

• Triple E Premium Vodka is the first spirit produced with NY State corn and has a clean, smooth profile with a touch of sweetness.

• Foxtail Whiskey: 80 proof, aged with oak chips; the nose has a hint of caramel, and the palate finishes soft.

• Wetland Whiskey: 80 proof, aged with French and Hungarian oak; highlights a peppery character with a note of black currant and a warm, smooth aftertaste.

• The use of oak chips for Foxtail and the use of French/Hungarian oak for Wetland show the distillery's approach to small-batch production and experimental aging methods.

Whiskey products

• Foxtail Whiskey

• 80 proof, aged with oak chips

• Nose: a hint of caramel

• Taste/Finish: finish soft and smooth

• Wetland Whiskey

• 80 proof, aged with French and Hungarian oak

• Characteristics: peppery, black currant note; finish warm and smooth

Tasting notes

• Foxtail Whiskey: Nose with a hint of caramel; finish is smooth and pleasant.

• Wetland Whiskey: Peppery with a note of black currant; finish is warm and rounded.

Events and News

• Tasting Room (tastings and visits) has set opening hours:

• January–April: Saturdays and Sundays 12–4 pm (with changes announced on Facebook/Instagram)

• May–October: at the CNY Regional Farmers Market, Saturdays 7:00–12:30 (D Shed)

• November–December: Saturdays 7:00–13:00 (F Shed)

• For groups or specific tours and tastings, please contact via dave@hallislanddistillery.com or phone 315-699-3259.

• The brand's presence includes, among other things, a list of places where Hall Island spirits can be purchased, as well as contact and visit information.

Company philosophy and values

• Hall Island presents itself as an artisanal craft distillery, driven by family history and a strong connection to the Cicero Swamp area.

• The focus on quality and craftsmanship is reflected in the use of 100% NY State corn and the natural handcrafted approach with reused materials (e.g., a 1967 soup kettle and repurposed wood for the tasting room).

• The expansion of the range (from Triple E Vodka to Foxtail and Wetland Whisky) reflects a willingness to innovate and continually develop the product portfolio.

• Local roots and pride in family heritage and regional resources underpin production that is both artisanal and quality-focused.