NYC | NYC Whiskey Review

Spy Trail Black Tea Whiskey

September 3, 2026 NYC

Name: Spy Trail Black Tea Whiskey

Color: Caramel

Nose: Corn, malt, oak, vanilla, tea notes

Taste: Corn/malt, oak, brown sugar, tea

Spy Trail Distillery is located in Ronkonkoma, NY (Long Island) and was founded in the last few years. They produce vodka, bourbon, honey bourbon, and black tea bourbon in small batches. Give there website a visit at https://www.spytraildistillery.com/

Spy Trail Black Tea Whiskey has a mash bill of 60% corn, 20% wheat, 11% malted barley, 9% rye and is bottled at 40.2% abv. The nose and taste are whiskey and black tea infused and this is a profile that I have never experienced.

I must be honest; this expression is not my cup of tea…. pun intended. The tea flavor really threw me off when I sampled it neat. If you read my reviews, whiskey with tea or coffee is not something I enjoy as a drink so I am biased. However, I do think if you enjoy whiskey in your tea or coffee this expression would work very well in a Hot Toddy or a Whiskey Sweet Tea cocktail.

Priced around $50 and is a very unique flavor profile. If you try it, let me know your thoughts.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Note: I contacted the distillery to purchase some samples, and they sent me this bottle for gratis.

Taconic Sampler Premade Cocktails – Negroni

July 22, 2026 NYC

Taconic Distillery is situated in the Hudson Valley region, but its official location is at 179 Bowden Rd. Standfordville, NY. The distillery is a former farm and is now owned by Paul Couglin, who used to be a Wall Street guy. He made the switch to the whiskey world in 2013 and has been making is mark ever since. If you follow my reviews you have read Paul has sent me several bottles to review and invited me up for a visit.

They now have a 3 pack of their popular premade cocktails that they serve at the distillery bar. The “Sampler” includes a Maple Old Fashioned (45% abv), Negroni (25% abv), and Rye Manhattan (35% abv) that are in 375ml bottles.

I am a big fan of Negroni’s in the summer time. I will try all types when I am out in bars, but I usually make them at home with Bombay Sapphire so when I tried the Taconic Negroni I was very surprised.This cocktail has subtle nose of gin (Stubbornly Different American Dry Gin by Taconic), sweet vermouth, and Apertivo (which I assume is Campari). It is much softer tasting than I am used to drinking and that through me off for a second. This premade cocktail is well balance and very refreshing. It makes me question using Bombay Sapphire moving forward in my homemade cocktails. It is a good gin, but not as soft as Taconic and it makes a difference between a smack in the mouth Negroni and a relaxing Negroni.

Taconic expressions: Dutchess Private Reserve, Barrel Strength Bourbon Whiskey, Founder’s Straight Rye Whiskey, Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey, Double Barrel Maple Bourbon Whiskey, New York Wheated Bourbon, Bottled in Bond Bourbon, New York Single Malt Whiskey, Horse & Jockey Bourbon, Fox & Hare Rye Whiskey, Bourbon Cream, Rolling Hills Rum, Stubbornly Different Gin, Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup, Sampler Premade Cocktails, and a few other specialized expressions.

This is a great Sampler priced at $50 and I look for forward to trying the Rye Manhattan. Many thanks again to Paul and his team at Taconic!

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Iron Smoke CASKet Strength Bourbon

June 11, 2026 NYC

Name: Iron Smoke CASKet Strength Bourbon

Color: Copper

Nose: Corn, wheat/rye, orange, oak

Taste: Corn, wheat/rye, orange, oak, spices, dark fruit notes

Iron Smoke Distillery is in Fairport, NY which is in the upstate area of New York near Lake Ontario. It was established in 2011 by Tommy Burnett who wanted to create whiskey with the flavor of apple smoke barbeque. I have never heard of such a flavor combination in a whiskey, but I haven’t heard of every whiskey on Earth so there is that too.

Iron Smoke Straight CASKet Bourbon Whiskey is aged 2+ years and bottled at 60% abv (aka 120 proof). The mash bill is not disclosed but I would assume it is locally sourced from farmers in the Finger Lakes region simliar to their other expressions.

Unlike the base line bourbon the CASKet is much hotter and harder to taste due to the high proof. It has a solid kick to it and over ice I noticed cherry/molasses notes which are very nice. Without ice to soften this bourbon, I was struggle to nose and taste it due to the high proof. I was also not able to detect any apple smoke notes in this expression. I am not going to lie, it still is a little young and rough around the edges, but it is a solid whiskey and would make a snappy cocktail.

Priced around $75 and worth the money if you like the profile and a kick.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Note: I contacted the distillery to purchase some samples, and they sent me this bottle for gratis.

Taconic Sampler Premade Cocktails – Maple Old Fashioned

May 21, 2026 NYC

A couple of weeks ago I got a surprise package in the mail from Taconic. They now have a 3 pack of their popular premade cocktails that they serve at the distillery bar. The “Sampler” includes a Maple Old Fashioned (45% abv), Negroni (25% abv), and Rye Manhattan (35% abv) that are in 375ml bottles.

The Maple Old Fashioned has fresh summer taste with bourbon, orange/oak notes, and sugar finish. The quality of the local NY Maple Syrup is very noticeable and elevates the drink. It is sweeter than I usually take my Old Fashioned’s and I don’t usually drink them in the summer. However, I found it very refreshing and once the ice melted a little I really enjoyed it. Perhaps I am seasonally limited my Old Fashioned options? I will do more research.

This is a great Sampler priced at $50 and I look for forward to trying the Negroni and Manhattan. Many thanks again to Paul and his team at Taconic.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Spy Trail Straight Bourbon Whiskey

March 18, 2026 NYC

Name: Spy Trail Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Corn, malt, oak, vanilla, pepper spices

Taste: Corn/malt, rye, oak, dark fruits, sugar/vanilla

Spy Trail Distillery is located in Ronkonkoma, NY (Long Island) and was founded in the last few years. They produce vodka, bourbon, honey bourbon, and black tea bourbon in small batches.

Spy Trail Straight Bourbon Whiskey has a mash bill of 60% corn, 20% wheat, 11% malted barley, 9% rye and is bottled at 45.6% abv in Batch #3. The nose comes off as a solo corn/malt blend, but has a little dryness from the wheat and rye. When I sampled the bourbon neat, I did find it a little hot and rough, but with a small ice cube the flavors released more. I noticed more dark fruit notes and the creamy vanilla/sugar flavor on the finish. This expression is overall good for being a younger whiskey and new to the marketplace and would make a good mixer in a cocktail or enjoyed on the rocks.

I also very much like the 375ml bottle (half bottle) and I wish more distilleries would release bottles in this size. It is perfect for throwing in your backpack for a hike, camping, fishing, etc. It says, “I brought some whiskey! How about we all have a wee dram…” . Sometimes when you bring a full bottle you say (without words), “I am raging alcoholic asshole and I need a full bottle of booze to enjoy this day trip”. The 375ml bottle can keep things classy.

Priced around $50 and worth it if you like the flavor profile. If I am on Long Island this year I will make a point to stop by and check it out the distillery and the tasting room.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Note: I contacted the distillery to purchase some samples, and they sent me this bottle for gratis.

Iron Smoke Straight Bourbon Whiskey

March 4, 2026 NYC

Name: Iron Smoke Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Corn, oak, vanilla, white fruit

Taste: Corn/rye, toasted oak, vanilla/caramel, apple, and pepper

Iron Smoke Distillery is based in Fairport, NY which is in the upstate area of New York near Lake Ontario. It was established in 2011 by Tommy Burnett who wanted to create a whiskey with the flavor of apple smoke barbecue. I have never heard of such a flavor combination in a whiskey and I had my doubts, but I am always will to try something new.

Iron Smoke Straight Bourbon Whiskey is aged 2+ years in new American white oak that is triple charred and is then bottled at 40% abv. The mash bill is a four-grain combination that is sourced from farmers in the Finger Lakes region. The official mash bill is not released, but I found it more corn mash forward.

When I first opened the bottle my immediate reaction “this stuff is young, rough, and affordable baseline whiskey…”. I was also surprised at how hot it tasted for a 80 proof whiskey. As I sampled a bit more, I noticed there was something hidden on the backend. The more I sampled with water/ice the more I could detect the apple and wood smoke flavors. I was surprised how nice they tasted. I am not going to lie, I thought it was going to be a gimmick cocktail type whiskey but I was pleased to see that Iron Smoke was not making a gimmick whiskey. I will not say Iron Smoke Bourbon is a slow sipper, but on ice it works very well for me. I think with one or two more years in the barrel the whiskey would soften to a level that would be more enjoyable served neat.

Priced around $50 and worth the money if you like the profile and I am looking forward to trying more expressions.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Note: I contacted the distillery to purchase some samples, and they sent me this bottle for gratis.

Vale Fox “Curium”

December 24, 2025 NYC

Name: Vale Fox “Curium”

Color: Copper

Nose: Malt, caramel, oak, earth, honey-spice, green grasses

Taste: Malt, caramel, oak, earth, green grasses, cognac

2 Days left to Christmas! Do you have your bottles yet?! This is #2 on my list for 2025!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! – Chris

Vale Fox Distillery is located in Poughkeepsie, New York and was founded in 2017 by Eral Gokgol-Kline. The company started with gin and now as released their first single malt “Curium”.

This bottle of Curium is “Batch 0001 of 396 bottles” and is cask strength at 63.4% abv. It is a 100% malted barley, matured in American Oak cask & Cognac cask, and is listed as an American Malt. The whiskey is a little hot on the first taste and I was surprised they went with cask strength due to the complex flavor profile. The finish is a little dry and earthy, but I am not surprised as it is aged in Cognac casks. I recommend a touch of water, or a small ice cube to open the flavors. This is not slugging whiskey, it is sipping whisky.

Curium was a gift from my good friends who I affectionately call, “Z Germans….”. They were visiting Upstate NY and stayed in Rhinebeck. They went to the Rhine Wine & Liquor Store and asked for a recommendation of good whiskey. I am planning to get up to Rhinebeck again this Fall and I hope to find time to visit this distillery. I am now going to plan a trip to Germany to repay the kindness!

Priced around $140 and worth it if you like the flavor profile.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

The Great Jones Distillery – NYC

December 19, 2025 NYC

6 Days left to Christmas! Do you have your bottles yet?! This is #6 on my list for 2025!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! – Chris

The Great Jones Distillery is located at 686 Broadway, New York, NY (Broadway & Great Jones St). The distillery was opened in August 2021 and states it is the first legal operating distillery in NYC since the 1920 Prohibition.It is owned by Proximo Spirits (aka Jose Cuervo) and Black Dirt Distillery in upstate New York is a sister distillery.

The space is very impressive for its size and location in NYC. The layout, bars, restaurants, finishes work, gift shop, etc. all appears to be high quality. I can see a large amount of money was spent to build this venue. I would guess it was $75M all in, and it looks like it was money well spent. Great Jones is a nice place to drop in for a drink and the menu looks good but I did not sample any of the food.

Great Jones has a variety of things you can experience. They have tours, VIP tours, merchandise, Saturday Jazz Brunch, light lunch/apps menu, lounge areas, and a bar. It strikes me as they are covering all the NYC basis of what a venue can offer. Overall, it is a very nice place to visit, but here comes the “BUT”.

But the whiskies I sampled were ok at best. I did a very basic tasting and did not blow any wind up my skirt. I do not want to disparage Great Jones, but if you have never been to a distillery they can be a great experience, but also you can end up having an Emperor’s Clothes experience if you are not paying attention. I am going to go back soon at try their the higher end expressions in the near future and I will provide reviews for their bourbon and rye soon.

Great Jones Expressions (2025):

Peated Scotch Cask Bourbon ($150), 10-year Distillery Reserve Bourbon ($200), Wheated Straight ($50), Straight Bourbon ($45), Empire Rye ($45), and Wolffer Estate Cask Finished Bourbon ($60).

If you are in NYC and are looking to try stop for a whiskey, give them a try. I would love to know what you think.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

The Great Jones Distillery – 3 Whiskey Flight

October 22, 2025 NYC

The Great Jones Distillery is located at 686 Broadway, New York, NY (Broadway & Great Jones St). It was opened in August 2021 and states it is the first legal operating distillery in NYC since Prohibition (1920).

My last review was on the facility and this review will be on the three-whiskey flight that I ordered when I visited the bar.

Great Jones Straight Bourbon: 43% abv aged for 4 years. Notes and taste of corn, oak, vanilla and pepper.

Great Jones Four Grain Bourbon: 45% abv aged 4 years. Notes of corn, rye, cream and wood with tastes of the same with notes of wheat/honey.

Great Jones Rye: 50% abv aged 4 years. Notes of rye, white pepper, dark fruit with taste of rye and spices.

These whiskeys were all very “light tasting” and the four years of aging did not impart much depth of flavor. This flight was ok, with no one whiskey being better or worse than the other. They were overall good, but they all fell a little flat for my taste. I noticed that the tasting cards are suggestive as they seem to tell you what to think with descriptions of “well balanced or complex & layered”. Hey Great Jones, I will be the judge of that one.

This tasting cost $15 which is very affordable for NYC prices and the bar/lounge area. I will go back and try some more whiskeys soon such as Peated Scotch Cask Bourbon ($150), 10-year Distillery Reserve Bourbon ($200), and Wolffer Estate Cask Finished Bourbon ($60).

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

The Pebble Bar NYC – “on tap” Old Fashioned

August 20, 2025 NYC

The Pebble Bar is located in the historic Rockfeller Center Townhouse which is formerly known as “Hurley’s”. It opened in 2022 and is a small space focused on craft cocktails and high quality food.

I discovered this Pebble Bar from a Youtube video showing how they pre-make their Woodford Reserve Old Fashioneds that are served “on tap” due to the small bar space and the high volume of sales. While I was watching the video, I literally said out loud, “That is bullshit. That can’t taste good.” I thought next time I was in the area I would drop by and order one. I figured I could prove my uneducated non-experienced professional whisky reviewer opinion on a Youtube video that I watched at 6:30am in my underwear.

I have to say…..Holy shit. Even I am sometimes impressed by my fucking stupidity.

The on-tap Woodford Old Fashioned at the Pebble Bar was incredible! I was truly shocked at how well balanced it was and how long it held an its flavor. I am not saying this is the best old-fashioned I have ever had, but it is definitely in the top five. If you are in NYC, I highly recommend visit for a drink. Seating is limited so make a reservation or get there when the bar opens.

Location: 67^th West 49th, New York, NY
Hours: Monday to Saturday 4pm-12am
Payment: Cash & Credit Cards
Food: Dinner or light bites
Reservations: Available
Website: Pebble Bar | Cocktail Bar | Rockefeller Center

I highly recommend the Pebble Bar Old Fashioned!

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Spy Trail Black Tea Whiskey

Taconic Sampler Premade Cocktails – Negroni

Iron Smoke CASKet Strength Bourbon

Taconic Sampler Premade Cocktails – Maple Old Fashioned

Spy Trail Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Iron Smoke Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Vale Fox “Curium”

The Great Jones Distillery – NYC

The Great Jones Distillery – 3 Whiskey Flight

The Pebble Bar NYC – “on tap” Old Fashioned

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