The Race to Be New York's Rye

"Just as it takes time for whiskey to mature, the same can be true for a city's craft whiskey scene. New players emerge, old ones are acquired, and an identity takes shape that wasn't there before. In New York, some craft producers have latched on to rye both as a historically accurate style for the region and a useful base for cocktails."

"With each, that story starts by communicating a clear New York identity. Great Jones takes its name from an East Village street near its downtown distillery and visitors center, and has worked with the Jean-Michel Basquiat estate to feature the New Yorker's iconic work on its bottles. Fort Hamilton Distillery takes its name from a famous New York Army base in the southwest corner of Brooklyn."

The New York craft whiskey scene is maturing as new producers emerge, established operations are acquired, and a distinct local identity coalesces. Producers are emphasizing rye for its historical regional fit and its utility in cocktails. Brands such as Great Jones, Fort Hamilton, and Jaywalk use place-based names, local references, and visual cues to assert New York provenance. Collaborations and design choices—Basquiat artwork, an eight-sided Jaywalk bottle with a hidden stop sign—reinforce identity. New Distilling Company focuses exclusively on rye and has revived an heirloom Horton strain to recapture historical flavors while offering affordable, flavor-driven whiskeys.

Read at VinePair