In the 1800s, New York's Hudson Valley was a major producer of Barley and Rye, boasting over 1000 farm distilleries. Prohibition in the 1930s silenced this legacy. Hillrock Estate Distillery now revives the tradition, crafting top-tier spirits with our own grain, floor malted, and hand-distilled. Situated in the Hudson Valley Highlands, our distillery overlooks barley fields and the Berkshire Mountains. Our commitment to quality spans 200 years of history, making us a rare "field-to-glass" whiskey producer. From heirloom grain cultivation to hand bottling, every detail echoes the region's unique terroir. The art of fine craft distilling has returned home.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Baking bread Caramel and Toffee notes Light Brown Sugar Hints of Cinnamon Oaky and baking spices As I pull away I get hints of dry fig, honey and bananas

Taste: The rye whiskey starts with sweetness. Hints of cherry pits and vanilla, and then the spice of the rye comes in on the tip of my tongue, but it has a soft mouthfeel to it.

Mid-palate, there are subtle notes of caramel and golden maple syrup with some tobacco and cinnamon notes as it becomes buttery smooth, and well-rounded between the sweet and spicy characteristics. 

Finish: A nice clean finish with ginger, black pepper spice, and moderate warmth with a dry sawdust bite.

A CRAFT BEER PIONEER SETS HIS SIGHTS ON SPIRITS

The original Anchor Distilling Company was established in 1993 by Fritz Maytag, the same beverage visionary who sparked the craft beer movement with his purchase of Anchor Brewing in 1965. Maytag had rescued the struggling brewery and its iconic steam beer, and after several decades of exclusively producing beer, Maytag saw an opportunity to expand into the distillation of spirits.

THE RETURN OF POT-DISTILLED WHISKEY TO THE UNITED STATES
Fritz’s vision of a rye whiskey revival was fueled by the bold realization that there were no pot-distilled whiskeys being made legally in America at the time. Finding inspiration in the rye whiskeys of America’s past and the great single malt whiskeys of Scotland, Fritz gathered a small team to begin top secret research and experimentation in the distillery. The first whiskey went into barrel in 1994, and the distillery soon began producing three rye whiskeys under Fritz’s guidance, all pot-distilled spirit from a mash of 100% malted rye.

PIONEER IN CRAFT WHISKEY

Old Potrero is an attempt to recreate the original whiskey of America, and marks the return of pot-distilled whiskey in the United States. It’s distilled in a small copper pot still at the Hotaling & Co. Distillery on San Francisco’s Potrero Hill from a mash of 100% rye malt, with rye being the grain of choice for America’s first distillers.

MASTER DISTILLER: BRUCE JOSEPH

In 2010, Fritz officially passed the torch to Bruce Joseph, who is now the Master Distiller of Old Potrero. Fritz and Bruce had worked alongside each other since the first barrels were laid down in 1994. The whiskey has been historically distilled in small copper pot stills at the Hotaling & Co. Distillery in San Francisco.

In Bruce's own words: "Old Potrero new packaging and bottle embody the boldness of a city that's resilient, creative and richly historic. Our Straight Rye Whiskey is now aged a minimum of six years to ensure exquisite quality and taste.

OLD POTRERO SINGLE BARREL RESERVE

Aged in extra fine grain American Oak. The wood was air-dried for 24 months and the barrels were fully toasted and then charred by hand over an oak fire. The mash of 100% malted rye was fermented for four days and then double distilled in traditional copper pot whiskey stills.

Limited Release

Three hundred and sixty-four days. That’s how long our rye whiskey waited in Ice Cider Casks, mingling with the oak until it got a perfect, crisp apple finish. This rare spirit grabs your attention with bold peppery and cinnamon notes, and then soothes your tastebuds with a sweet finish of brown sugar, apple and warm oaky undertones. This perfect winter whiskey is our first rye Cellar Collection release and is available for a limited time.

ICE CIDER FINISH

TASTING NOTES

Our Rye whiskey was aged exactly three hundred and sixty-four days in ice cider casks. The result – a perfect wintery whiskey.

NOSE: Caramel candy apple and toasted oak, with faint notes of nuttiness and cinnamon

PALATE: Bold peppery and cinnamon notes accompanied by vanilla, ripe apple, toffee and butterscotch

FINISH: A long finish that transitions from spicy to sweet, with notes of brown sugar, apple and hints of earthiness and oak

This historic creation marries the smoothness of Jack Daniel’s with a unique 70% rye grain bill. Complex flavors of ripe fruit mingle with light toasted oak notes to create a taste rich with spice and a pleasant lingering finish. This is a big, bold rye that does not overpower. 

This annual special release Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye celebrates the early craftsmanship of the Jack Daniel Distillery, honoring a time when American whiskey was often high in rye content and offered at barrel strength. Bottled in its purest form right from the barrel and uncut at full proof, it’s packed with Jack character with our signature smooth finish. Proof will range from 125-140. 

Tasting Notes

The nose offers peppery rye spice with sweet molasses, dark fruit, aged oak, raisin, and a hint of smoke. The palate is a blend of butterscotch sweetness, waves of spice, toasted oak, raisin, and burnt caramel, with a thick and creamy mouthfeel. The finish is a tapering spice complemented by hints of molasses and raisin, with a touch of light oak and smoke that transitions from spicy to sweet, creating a memorable and enjoyable experience.

AMERICA WAS FOUNDED THROUGH THE BLOOD OF HARD-FIGHTING, HARD-DRINKING MEN.

MEN WHO BELIEVED IN FREEDOM AND GOOD BOOZE WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES, FORGING THE BEDROCK OF THIS REPUBLIC, AND IN DOING SO, CREATED A NEW SPECIES OF MAN: THE AMERICAN. AMERICANS CONQUERED THE WESTERN FRONTIER. MEN OF PISS AND VINEGAR WHO TAMED THE WILD, BATTLED THE ELEMENTS, AND ESTABLISHED THE FIRST AMERICAN SALOONS. IT’S IN THIS FINE TRADITION THAT MEMBERS OF THE VETERAN COMMUNITY PRESENT TO YOU: LEADSLINGERS’ WHISKEY.

THE LEADSLINGERS’ WHISKEY CONCEPT WAS FORGED IN THE WINTER OF 2013, BY THE MEMBERS OF THE EVER POPULAR ARTICLE 15 CLOTHING COMPANY.

BUILDING UPON THEIR DEEP DEDICATION TO BRING UNIQUE PRODUCTS TO THE VETERAN AND SECOND AMENDMENT COMMUNITIES, THE CALL TO MAKE A WHISKEY AS BOLD AS AMERICA WAS HEARD LIKE AN EAGLE’S SCREAM. THIS IS A STORY ABOUT SEIZING OPPORTUNITY WHEN LIFE THROWS IT AT YOU, WHILE NEVER FORGETTING WHERE YOU CAME FROM. THIS IS A STORY ABOUT MEN WHO PURSUE EXCELLENCE. IT’S ABOUT FREEDOM. IT’S ABOUT RAISING A GLASS TO TRADITION, BUT ALSO RAISING THE BAR OF PERFORMANCE. THIS IS THE STORY OF AMERICA, ENCAPSULATED IN THE STORY OF SEVEN MEN WITH A VISION.

LEADSLINGERS’ WHISKEY IS PRODUCED BY SEVEN COMBAT VETERANS, FROM THE US ARMY RANGERS, USAF TACP, SPECIAL FORCES, AND PARATROOPER COMMUNITIES. THEIR LOVE FOR AMERICA AND FINE WHISKEY, IS WHAT THE COMPANY IS ALL ABOUT. THEY WANTED TO CRAFT A WHISKEY THAT WAS ENJOYABLE AND UNREPENTANTLY SUPPORTED THE SECOND AMENDMENT. BY REMAINING ACTIVE IN THEIR CIVILIAN AND MILITARY COMMUNITIES, LEADSLINGERS’ STRIVES TO SET AN EXAMPLE. BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE. BE BOLD. NO APOLOGIES. 

AND THAT IS WHY LEADSLINGERS’ NAME IS DEVOTED TO THE SECOND AMENDMENT, AND ALL AMERICANS WHO EXERCISE IT. LIKE THOSE WHO STOOD AT LEXINGTON AND CONCORD AS THE BRITISH TRIED TO SEIZE THEIR ARMS AND SAID “NO!”—YOU UNDERSTAND THAT FREEDOM EXISTS AS LONG AS YOU’RE WILLING TO DEFEND IT. LIKE THE MEN WHO TAMED THE WEST, YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU AND YOU ALONE ARE MASTER OF YOUR FAITH. PURSUE HAPPINESS, AND TERMINATE ANY WHO THREATEN YOUR LIFE OR LIBERTY. LEADSLINGERS’ SALUTES YOU! AMERICA SALUTES YOU! NOW POUR A SHOT OF BOLDNESS FORGED IN THE MINDS OF BATTLE HARDENED PATRIOTS AND ENJOY!

LEADSLINGERS FIGHTING SPIRIT RYE

AS SPIRITS CONNOISSEURS OURSELVES, WE WANTED TO BRING A TOP-SHELF RYE WHISKEY TO MARKET FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT. AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION AND PASSIONATE DISTILLATION PROCESS LEADSLINGERS SPIRITS IS EXTREMELY PROUD TO PRESENT ‘FIGHTING SPIRIT RYE’. MUCH LIKE THE ICONIC MARINE SO PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED ON THE FRONT OF OUR BOTTLE, WE FEEL THIS WILL BECOME A CORNERSTONE IN YOUR LIQUOR CATALOG FOR YEARS TO COME. BE A LEADER IN ALL THINGS, ESPECIALLY A TASTE FOR QUALITY.

METHOD AND MADNESS Rye & Malt – the first aged experimental distillate release created at the Micro Distillery in Midleton. Innovation is nothing new to Midleton, but the micro distillery has provided the copper canvas for experimentation to run free. This whiskey is the realisation of trial, and error, and brilliant bottled breakthroughs that started with “What if?

Masterfully created by our next generation of innovative whiskey makers, METHOD AND MADNESS Rye & Malt is a distillate-driven whiskey, bursting with floral notes and a spicy character. The combination of rye with malted barley brightens the whiskey’s naturally wide spectrum of flavours and aromas to evoke notes of lemon balm, white pepper, chili flakes and toasted wood with a lingering finish of spiced fruit.

RYE MEETS MALT.

Cereal notes meet spicy undertones

Mash Bill: 60% Rye & 40% Malted Barley

Distillation: Double Distilled

Maturation: Ex-Bourbon Casks

ABV: 46% & Non-Chill Filtered

NOSE: LEMON BALM - FLORAL LAVENDER - CLOVE SPICE

TASTE: WHITE PEPPER - CHILI FLAKES - TOASTED WOOD

FINISH: FADING FRUITS - LINGERING SPICE - CEREAL MALT & BARLEY

Flavor Profile & Tasting Notes

Each batch of our Restoration Rye Whiskey is blended using a series of pods. Each pod is created by grouping barrels to create a sensory profile. 

‍Mashbill : 17% Yellow Corn | 63% Rye | 20% Malted Barley

Awards
‍Ultimate Spirits Challenge - 91 Points - 2022

San Francisco Spirits Competition - Gold - 2021

From The Brand

For Outstanding Whiskey REACH FOR THE STARS

At 15 STARS, we meticulously craft all our products by blending and flavor proofing the finest quality whiskey for extra complexity and interest. Sparing no expense or effort in our pursuit for great whiskey, we bottle our releases only when they meet our highest standards.

First West

A Blend of Straight Rye Whiskeys from America’s First West aged 6, 7, and 8 years.

Limited Release

Bottled at 105 Proof

Tasting Notes

Nose: An exquisite blend of aromas revealing layers of floral, dried fruit, and spice notes.

Palate: Dried apricot, ginger, cinnamon, green tea, and lavender lead to a rich palate showcasing the aged rye whiskey components. Deeper on the palate, hints of dark cocoa balance traditional herbal tea, honey, and tobacco.

Finish: A long finish balances light caramel with lingering ground pepper and rye spice. 

Aged for two years in only 12 American white oak barrels, this limited edition is offered at 100 proof. With a subtle smoky presence, this straight rye whiskey has intriguing floral notes followed by a kaleidoscope of fruit flavors that dance across your palate.

TASTING NOTES

APPEARANCE: Golden honey,  light amber

NOSE: Smoke, pear, plum

PALATE: Light almond, white pepper, pear, apple

FINISH: Elegant lingering smoke, lasting warmth

AWARD-WINNING PACKAGING
For the Collector This one-of-a-kind whiskey is presented in a custom, decanter-like bottle with a 1920s-inspired pattern resembling cut crystal. The cork features a one ounce chalice plated with sterling silver. The autographed and numbered bottle is wrapped beautifully in a custom Belfour Spirits box, making this a truly unique gift and collector’s item.

Introducing new Redemption Sur Lee Straight Rye Whiskey. Inspired by the French winemaking process known as “Sur Lie”, Redemption Sur Lee uses a groundbreaking whiskey-making technique that has never been done before in the category. To create this first-of-its-kind innovation, we take our award-winning classic pre-Prohibition Rye mash bill and break conventional whiskey-making norms by adding the “whiskey lees” into the barrels and periodically rotating them during the aging process. The result is a deep, complex whiskey with bold, rich taste, a silky finish and a hint of rye spice.

Flavor Profile

NOSE: Floral upfront with a lovely nutty, woody back drop. Evokes deep fruit notes of dried mango, bergamot orange, and honey baked apples.

PALATE: Round, rich and soft with decadent nutty and buttery notes that envelop the palate. Supporting notes of toasted marshmallow, maple, and nutmeg, balanced with Redemption Rye’s signature undertones of fennel and caraway.

FINISH: A lingering, balanced finish that coats the palate. Spice fades into a hint of sweetness with warming flavors of­ pie crust, sweet pine, buttered popcorn, vanilla and dried fig.

The Sagamore Spirit Barrel Select program is a unique Maryland-style blend of 7-year-old straight rye whiskies. Each barrel of high-rye is expertly blended with a low-rye mash bill by our distilling team. No two expressions taste the same, and you are guaranteed to enjoy a one-of-a-kind product. The Sagamore Spirit Barrel Select program showcases the uniqueness of our distillers' favorite barrels in each bottle.

Tasting Notes

PALATE: Classic tasting notes include hints of caramel and vanilla with cinnamon and clove.

PROOF: 110 (55% ABV)

AGE: 7 Years

This is the newest release in our Reserve Series line for Spring 2023. Our craft requires careful aging and thoughtful blending, and this 8-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey embodies the power of both. After aging our rye in new charred American white oak barrels for at least 8 years, our distillers crafted this complex rye with notes of dried cherries, clove, and smoked vanilla on the nose. A perfect balance of sweet and spice, this rye whiskey has a bold palate with flavors of candied ginger, sweet orange, molasses, and nut brittle.

This bottle had an original release in 2021 which earned a Gold Medal from the ASCOT Awards and a Double Gold from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Our Sagamore Spirit Reserve Series celebrates the legacy of Maryland distilling, with an unyielding focus on excellence from start to finish. Interested in future releases? Sign-up to become a Whiskey Thief!

This product just started shipping to all markets where Sagamore Spirit is sold so updates are pending to search for it on our Find Rye.

Tasting Notes

PALATE: Candied ginger, sweet orange, molasses, and nut brittle

PROOF: 111.4 (55.7% ABV)

AGE: 8 Years

Loads of rich caramel and toffee up front on the nose. Leather and pipe tobacco add an earthiness, while cinnamon and clove balance it out with some spice. Hints of toasted oak and aspen round out the nose. The palate is viscous, with the clove, toffee, tobacco, and toasted oak at the forefront. There is a warming black pepper note with the return of the caramel for the long, pleasant finish. This is an assertive and spice forward rye, and yet somehow, at the same, a soft and sweet rye.

NOTES OF SCENT & FLAVOR

BUTTERY: CARAMEL, TOFFEE

EARTHY: LEATHER, PIPE TOBACCO

SPICES: CINNAMON, CLOVE

WOOD: HINTS OF TOASTED OAK AND ASPEN

A premium rye whiskey that is handcrafted in small batches in Upstate New York. This whiskey is made using 100% rye and is aged for a minimum of three years in new charred American oak barrels, giving it a rich and robust flavor profile.

What sets Taconic Distillery Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey apart is that it is bottled at cask strength, meaning that it is not watered down before bottling. This gives the whiskey a higher alcohol content and a more intense flavor, making it a favorite among rye whiskey enthusiasts.

This whiskey has notes of vanilla, caramel, and spice, with a long and smooth finish. It is perfect for sipping neat or for use in your favorite rye whiskey cocktails. Taconic Distillery Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey is a must-try for anyone looking for a bold and delicious rye whiskey experience.

This is an exciting new addition to the world of pre-batched cocktails. This cocktail is expertly crafted using premium ingredients, including WhistlePig Rye Whiskey, Runamok Maple Syrup, and a hint of smokiness from the addition of charred oak.

WhistlePig is known for producing high-quality rye whiskeys, and the addition of Runamok Maple Syrup adds a touch of sweetness that perfectly balances out the spiciness of the rye. The use of charred oak in the recipe also adds a delicious smoky note that complements the other flavors perfectly.

The WhistlePig Smoked Fashioned Cocktail To Go is incredibly convenient for those who love a good cocktail but don't want to go through the hassle of mixing their own drinks.

The use of high-quality ingredients in this cocktail ensures that every sip is packed with flavor. The WhistlePig Rye Whiskey provides a robust and spicy base, while the Runamok Maple Syrup adds a touch of sweetness and a hint of maple flavor. The smokiness from the charred oak adds another layer of complexity, resulting in a perfectly balanced and delicious cocktail.

Overall, the WhistlePig Smoked Fashioned Cocktail To Go is a must-try for any cocktail lover. With its high-quality ingredients and expert craftsmanship, this pre-batched cocktail is the perfect way to enjoy a delicious and sophisticated drink without any of the hassle of mixing it yourself.

This exquisite rye whiskey is distilled by the Diageo-owned Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company, which is known for its unique and rare blends of whiskey.

The Scarlet Shade is a limited-edition release that is aged for 14 years in charred oak barrels, giving it a rich, deep amber color and a complex flavor profile. The nose is filled with notes of vanilla, caramel, and toffee, with hints of spice and a subtle smokiness. On the palate, the whiskey is smooth and mellow, with flavors of dark fruit, oak, and rye spice, and a touch of sweetness from the aging process.

One of the unique features of Orphan Barrel Scarlet Shade is its high rye content, which gives it a distinct spiciness and complexity that is highly sought after by whiskey aficionados. The rye grain used in the whiskey is sourced from various distilleries across North America, giving it a unique blend of flavors and aromas.

This whiskey is bottled at 90 proof, which is slightly higher than the typical proof for rye whiskey. This higher proof gives the Scarlet Shade a more robust flavor and a longer finish, making it ideal for sipping straight or mixing in a classic whiskey cocktail.