History

Gristmill Distillers is a New York-based farm distillery in Keene in the Adirondack Park. Their tagline and identity are built on being “Sourced Locally • MASHED LOCALLY • DISTILLED LOCALLY” and on producing spirits from Adirondack farms amidst the mountain landscape. The water comes from a source just steps from the door, the corn comes from Adirondack Organic Grains in Essex, and the apples for brandy come from Rulf’s Orchard in Peru. They collaborate with local partners such as US Barrel, which makes the barrel staves for their casks, and they point to the Adirondack Park as a Forever Wild designation since 1894. The distillery is described as Spirits Born of the Mountains and as a company rooted in the region, operating with a long-term vision of consistent craftsmanship.

Production / Manufacturing

Gristmill highlights a local approach: Sourced Locally • MASHED LOCALLY • DISTILLED LOCALLY. The water originates from a source just steps from the front door, and the raw materials are locally produced: corn from Adirondack Organic Grains and apples from Rulf’s Orchard. Barrels come from US Barrel, a local cooperage in Wilmington. The production emphasizes using New York ingredients and traditional methods, where the whiskies are aged in American new oak barrels. Their bourbon is described as 100% New York corn and aged in new barrels; Straight American Whiskey is aged for two years with a mash of 70% rye and 30% corn; Apple Brandy is distilled twice and aged in new American oak barrels to achieve a dry, crisp finish.

Products / Whisky Series

• Black Fly Straight Bourbon: 100% NY corn, aged in new American oak barrels and produced in Wilmington. Notes of oak and sap with a hint of spice.
• Black Fly American Whiskey: A mash bill of 70% NY rye and 30% NY corn, distilled and aged in used American oak barrels. Flavor note: rye spice burn and the sweetness of corn with caramel and cinnamon.
• Rusty Piton Corn Whiskey: 100% corn, water from the local mountains, a tongue-in-cheek name inspired by climbers in the area; described as buttery and earthy with a touch of sweetness.
• 1892 Forever Wild Apple Brandy: Must from apples pressed at Rulf’s Orchard, distilled twice and aged in new American oak barrels; dry, fresh with a floral nose and sharp apple finish.

Visit / Experiences

Gristmill Distillers is deeply rooted in the Adirondack Park, an area described as Forever Wild since 1894. The park’s landscape and the distillery’s location in Keene provide context for their Spirits of the Adirondacks and their connection to the landscape and local craftsmanship. There is emphasis on local suppliers and a sense of wanting to celebrate the mountains’ adventures through their products.

Philosophy

The company builds its philosophy on a local production philosophy: Sourced Locally • MASHED Locally • DISTILLED Locally. Their identity is closely tied to the Adirondack Park, the region’s water resources, and local farming (Adirondack Organic Grains, Rulf’s Orchard). They emphasize being a New York State farm distillery and highlight that the barrels are made locally (US Barrel) and that the entire value chain aligns with Spirits of the Mountains and the Forever Wild spirit.