Albany Distilling Company
Overview of the Distillery
Albany Distilling Company is located in downtown Albany, New York, and operates as a small‑scale craft distillery, producing spirits in small batches by combining modern and traditional methods. Founded in 2011 as Albany’s first distillery since Prohibition, the company is known for brands such as Ironweed whiskey and for producing products made from New York State corn, as well as for its house bar in the city.
History
The history begins in 2011, when a small group of dedicated people established Albany Distilling Company and brought distilling back to Albany after the Prohibition era. From the start, the team emphasized producing in small batches and creating high‑quality products. Local support enabled them to build collaborations with other companies and organizations, and the distillery has since expanded its range with several brands and limited editions. The work has encompassed both own releases and contract distilling for other brands.
Raw Materials and Production
Mashed, fermented, distilled, and bottled under Albany Distilling Company’s own name. For their barrel‑aged whiskeys they use corn grown in New York State. The production philosophy combines modern and traditional methods, and the company emphasizes small‑batch production. For their Ironweed whiskeys, a general ABV range is given as around 40–50% depending on edition. The distillery states that no colorants or flavorings are added to their barrel‑aged whiskeys. In addition to their own brands, they also offer contract distilling, indicating experience with both recipe development and navigating regulatory and packaging requirements.
Aging and Barrel Types
The barrel‑aged products from Albany Distilling Company are aged in freshly charred oak, and this is highlighted as the standard for their aged whiskey. On the product pages, several limited editions are listed with names such as Rum Bourbon, Cab Barrel Rye, Double Oak Rye, and Solera Rye, which shows that they experiment with different barrel types and finishes for special releases.
Whiskeys
The core range of whiskeys is Ironweed, presented as the Original Series with Straight Bourbon, Empire Rye, and Straight Malt. In addition, a number of limited editions are listed such as Rum Bourbon, Cab Barrel Rye, Double Oak Rye, and Solera Rye. The range is described as made from New York State grain, in 750 mL bottles and aged in charred oak, with ABV varying by edition. The company also has other spirit brands such as Awakened Spirit (coffee vodka), Quackenbush (rum), and a line of vodka seltzers.
| Whiskey | Type / Series | Cask and Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ironweed — Straight Bourbon | Aged Whiskey | Freshly charred oak | Part of Ironweed Original Series. Mashed, fermented, distilled, aged and bottled by Albany Distilling Company. Made from corn grown in New York State and aged in freshly charred oak. No color or flavor added. | Current; Core Range |
| Ironweed — Empire Rye | Aged Whiskey | Freshly charred oak | Part of Ironweed Original Series. Mashed, fermented, distilled, aged and bottled by Albany Distilling Company. Made from corn grown in New York State and aged in freshly charred oak. No color or flavor added. | Current; Core Range |
| Ironweed — Straight Malt | Aged Whiskey | Freshly charred oak | Part of Ironweed Original Series. Mashed, fermented, distilled, aged and bottled by Albany Distilling Company. Made from corn grown in New York State and aged in freshly charred oak. No color or flavor added. | Current; Core Range |
| Ironweed — Rum Bourbon | Aged Whiskey; Ironweed Limited Editions | Named as a limited edition under Ironweed; details about the cask type and age are not provided, but the release is listed as one of the limited variants. | Limited | |
| Ironweed — Cab Barrel Rye | Aged Whiskey; Ironweed Limited Editions | Named as a limited edition under Ironweed; listed among the limited editions on the distillery’s product page. | Limited | |
| Ironweed — Double Oak Rye | Aged Whiskey; Ironweed Limited Editions | Named as a limited edition under Ironweed; listed among the limited editions on the distillery’s product page. | Limited | |
| Ironweed — Solera Rye | Aged Whiskey; Ironweed Limited Editions | Named as a limited edition under Ironweed; listed among the limited editions on the distillery’s product page. | Limited |
Visit the Distillery
There is a house bar, ADCo Bar, located at 75 Livingston Ave in Albany, just down the street from the Palace Theater. The venue is described as a place where ALB Vodka can be found and tastings offered; the phone number is (518) 949-2472. There are no details about fixed tours, bookings, or opening hours on the available pages, but the bar’s address and contact information are provided for visitors.
Philosophy and Craft
Albany Distilling Company prioritizes small‑batch production and an uncompromising approach to craft and technique. They combine modern and traditional production methods, avoid adding colorants and flavorings to their barrel‑aged whiskeys, and also offer contract distilling based on their experience.