Avid spirit drinkers and historians are encouraged to check out the distillery tours available at Kings County Distillery. The traditional Distillery Tour discusses the history of whiskey and how it intertwines with the history of America as a whole. Participants will also learn about the science of fermentation, mashing, and distillation. The tour closes with everyone’s favorite part–a tasting. The basic tour provides samples of four of Kings County’s core products: Moonshine, straight bourbon, peated bourbon, and chocolate. There is also a “Top Shelf” Distillery Tour, which covers the same information as the basic tour but provides tasting samples of different products.
There is also a dedicated Whiskey Tasting Class available at Kings County Distillery. While this class touches on the history of whiskey, it is more focused on the barrel-aging process and teaching students how to taste and nose whiskey like the pros. Participants will receive ½ ounce pours of multiple whiskeys, including the season’s current infusion. Additional pours can be purchased at the bar once the class is over.
Kings County Distillery has a rich history since it’s the oldest whiskey distillery in New York City since prohibition. They have maintained many distilling practices that date back to the 1860s and use a blend of local grains to keep expanding on the idea of what whiskey can be. Kings County Distillery was named Distillery of the Year by the American Distilling Institute in 2016 and received the same award by the New Orleans Spirit Competition in 2023.
Many people who have participated in a class at Kings County Distillery report enjoying their experiences. The distillery tours are described as being fun and informative, with many attendees sharing they particularly appreciated the historical information provided during the tour. The guides are described as being entertaining and well-informed, often taking extra time to make sure everyone’s questions were answered thoroughly and accurately.
Recommended: Best mixology classes in NYC
Recommended: Best cooking classes in Brooklyn
Recommended: Best team building activities in NYC