Finger Lakes Distilling near Seneca Lake, New York, offers bourbon, gin, rye and liqueur for tasting, plus cocktail options!
Finger Lakes Distilling, on the east side of New York's Seneca Lake, came highly recommended by friends who said they remembered the rye being amazing.
That's why, on a trip full of wine tastings, we squeezed in this one visit to a distillery.
Coming from Kentucky and the Bourbon Trail, we're no strangers to a good distillery. The one at Finger Lakes produces whiskey, rye, gin, and bourbon (along with different flavors of brandy and liqueur).
We were curious how it would stack up to the bourbon from back home.
Here's what to know about a visit to Finger Lakes Distilling, as well as a few thoughts on the products!
Do I Need to Book Ahead at Finger Lakes Distilling?
A tasting flight is $10, and the distillery is open every day. You don't typically need to make a tasting reservation for small groups.
You can also get one- or two-ounce pours, cocktails, and a few snack items on site.
There weren't any public tours available when we went, but if you want to pay for a private tour, you do need to book ahead.
What Will I Get to Try?
There are several options that are recommended together in a flight, or you can mix and match.
We mixed and matched a flight with:
- Seneca Drums Gin (a botanical gin)
- McKenzie Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- McKenzie Straight Rye Whiskey
- Maplejack Liqueur (apple brandy aged in bourbon barrels with added maple syrup)
The bourbon was 70% corn. It was a sweet bourbon but still had a peppery taste that I enjoyed.
Finger Lakes Distilling uses a sweet mash for their bourbon, meaning all the grains and yeast are new for each batch (instead of bringing in "sour" mash from a previous use).
Sweet mash is relatively rare among distillers. We've also found it at Wilderness Trail in Kentucky.
I wasn’t expecting to be impressed with their bourbon: I’ve tasted quite a bit on the Bourbon Trail, and usually the non-Kentucky bourbons I’ve tried don’t hold up. This one surprised me, and I really liked it!
We also enjoyed the rye, but my personal favorite was the bourbon. I brought it home and made honey manhattans with it!
Other Experiences at the Distillery
The Tippling House is your gateway to food, beer, wine and cocktails. There's deck seating overlooking great views of the lake.
It's a cute store with a dedicated cocktail area.
Keep an eye on the Facebook page for any special workshops or events. In the past, they've had create-your-own-gin workshops, Derby parties, and dinner pairings with local restaurants.
What Else Should I Check Out Near Finger Lakes Distilling?
The Elf in the Oak is a lovely restaurant also located in Burdett. The nearest winery is JR Dill. About a 15-minute drive away we really enjoyed Lakewood Vineyards and Barnstormer Winery.
You're also only about a 15-minute drive from all the waterfalls at Watkins Glen State Park. It's a stunning park with a great campground.
Have fun exploring around Seneca Lake!
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