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Grand Optimist Rye

Bourbon Whiskey

Made from NYS grain and aged by the sea.

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A NOTE FROM THE DISTILLER

I wanted our flagship bourbon to showcase the terroir of the Great South Bay and the unique salty sea air that it imparts on our barrels. To do so, we made a bourbon with 70% corn 10% rye and 20% malted barley in order to bring out chocolate and espresso notes that complement the caramel and vanilla that is traditionally found in bourbon. With that touch of salinity that comes from being aged right on the coast, this bourbon is everything we love about salty and sweet.
The addition of heritage grains to the mash bill also sets this bourbon apart within its category. Before American agriculture created one mono-crop of yellow dent corn, farmers were using a variety of species. We decided to look past the standard of using yellow corn in bourbon and focus on these now rare heritage grains. Using these other species creates a more complex profile while also celebrating the natural bounty of New York State.

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BATCH 005

DISTILLER'S CUT

Release

October 2024

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Age

2 yr, 5 mo

​

Proof

96

​

Barrels

Barrel Mill Cooperage

7x 30 gal

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Char

3

​

Mash Bill

70% Red Flint Corn & VK Flint Corn blend, 10% Rye, 20% Malted Barley

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Distiller's Tasting Notes

Nose - charred marshmallow, vanilla, oatmeal, wood, 

Taste - sweet corn, dried fruit, lemon peel, black pepper, minerality, grass, 

BATCH 004

DISTILLER'S CUT

Release

May 2024

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Age

2 yr, 8 mo

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Proof

94

​

Barrels

Adirondack Cooperage & Barrel Mill Cooperage

7x 30 gal

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Char

3

​

Mash Bill

70% Red Flint Corn & VK Flint Corn blend, 10% Rye, 20% Malted Barley

​

Distiller's Tasting Notes

Nose - vanilla, wet oak, campfire, toasted marshmallows, burnt orange peel, coffee

Taste - hazelnut, slate, chocolate, vanilla, creme Brule, sawed wood

BATCH 003

DISTILLER'S CUT

Release

June 2023

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Age

Oldest Barrel - 1 year 361 days

Youngest Barrel - 1 year 79 days

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Proof

95

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Barrels

Adirondack Cooperage, 4 30gal

Barrel Mill Cooperage 3 30gal, 6 15gal

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Char

3

​

Mash Bill

70% NYS Corn (Red Flint "Bloody Butcher"

& VK Flint heritage grains)

20% Malted Barley, 10% NYS Rye

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Distiller's Tasting Notes

Nose - warm vanilla, grapefruit juice, subtle charred cinnamon, marshmallow and fresh fallen rain

Taste - hazelnut that transitions to grapefruit pith, caramel with a touch of smoke, finishes with the hazelnut coming back along with coffee and chocolate, lingering fresh cut grass and slate slate/minerality 

BATCH 002

DISTILLER'S CUT

DESIGN

Release

September 2022

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Age

Oldest Barrel - 2 years 73 days

Youngest Barrel - 1 year 2 days

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Proof

95

​

Barrels

Adirondack Cooperage, 1 30gal, 3 15gal, 1 10gal

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Char

3

​

Mash Bill

90% NYS Corn, 10% Malted Barley

70% NYS Corn, 20% Malted Barley, 10% NYS Rye

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Distiller's Tasting Notes

Nose - spicy cedar, delicate vanilla, dried cherries, root beer soda,

Taste - warm vanilla & gingerbread on the front, hazelnut & cocoa lead into a nice linger of dried hay and wet slate on the finish

BATCH 001

DISTILLER'S CUT

Release

December 2021

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Age

1 yr, 2 mo

​

Proof

93

​

Barrels

Adirondack Cooperage, 2 15 gal

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Char

3

​

Mash Bill

90% NYS Corn, 10% Malted Barley

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Distiller's Tasting Notes

Nose - caramelized marshmallow, vanilla, fresh cut cedar, maple syrup. Palate - vanilla, hot sawdust, slate

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