County Whiskey Lovers Are in Luck With Gristmill Distillers

Using Adirondack crops, an upstate distillery produces artisan whiskeys sold in Westchester.

The idea of starting Gristmill Distillers began like many great ideas before it — with a few libations. After a day of climbing the Adirondacks, founder Keith Van Sise and his friends were hanging out at his house, which his fiancée jokingly calls “a frat house of rock and ice climbers.”

“We always talked about possibly starting a distillery, but it was just drunk guys talking,” says Van Sise, with a laugh. “I guess I took it a little too serious.”

Gristmill Distillers is a farm distillery located in Keene, NY, founded July 2013. “Our climate and ingredients play a big role in how our spirits age and their flavor profiles,” says Van Sise. The water they use courses from a spring within steps of the distillery’s front door, the corn and rye are grown by nearby Adirondack Organic Grains, and the brandy apples are picked and pressed from an orchard less than 35 miles down the road. “The area that a spirit is produced in creates a different flavor, and I think that’s what makes us different.”

- Advertisement -

The offerings include Black Fly bourbon whiskey aged in American oak barrels, Rusty Piton corn whiskey, and 1892 Forever Wild apple brandy. Van Sise’s fave is the seasonal maple-flavored Black Fly whiskey, which has the characteristics of bourbon with a subtle maple finish. “It’s at a higher proof, so you get the sweetness of the corn and the heat of the alcohol, and it finishes with a hint of maple syrup.”

Lucky for county whiskey lovers, Gristmill spirits are sold at Varmax Liquor Pantry in Port Chester, as well as the farmers’ markets in Rye and Larchmont, and served at Bar’Lees Wine & Whisky Bar (Mamaroneck), The Craftsman Ale House (Harrison), and The Oath Craft Beer Sanctuary (Tarrytown). 

Gristmill Distillers
Keene, NY
www.gristmilldistillers.com

Unveiled: A Boutique Bridal Brunch is February 23!

Our Best of Westchester Readers' Ballot is open through January 15!

Our Women in Business Awards event is November 21!

Our Best of Business event is October 30!

Our CEOs & Business Leaders Golf Outing is August 5!

Our Best of Westchester Party is July 24!

Our Westchester Home Design Awards event is June 26!

Our Wine & Food Festival returns June 4-9!

Our Wunderkinds event takes place on May 23!

Our Best of Business Ballot is open through May 15!

Our Healthcare Heroes Awards event takes place on May 9!

Our Westchester Home Builders Awards take place on April 4!

Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Forum is March 14!

Holiday flash sale ... subscribe and save 50%

Limited time offer. New subscribers only.