In the heart of Brooklyn, where once bootlegging flourished and legends of the Whiskey Wars were born, the scent of malt distillation is rising again. Kings County Distillery has become the place where the history of American whiskey found a second wind—no longer in the shadows of illegal stills, but openly, honestly, and with an uncompromising respect for the craft. It is New York’s first legal distillery since Prohibition, and at the same time, one of the brightest symbols of a new generation of artisans who are reviving tradition with a modern perspective. Read on newyork1.one to find out how a small batch of Kentucky moonshine turned into one of the most exciting whiskey projects in the U.S.
Whiskey Returns to Brooklyn
In the second half of the 19th century, Brooklyn’s Vinegar Hill was the epicenter of illicit alcohol production. After the Civil War, the government sharply raised the tax on whiskey, making spirits a major source of revenue for the public treasury. At the same time, the high rates triggered a wave of fraud; the area was teeming with dozens of illegal distilleries making fortunes by avoiding taxes.
Smugglers, immigrants, and local gangs created a shadow industry so powerful that tax collectors were powerless. This led to the so-called Whiskey Wars—a series of military raids where hundreds of soldiers deployed from the Brooklyn Navy Yard to smash stills, break barrels, and shut down clandestine factories. Though the resistance was fierce and distillers repeatedly restarted production, the government ultimately dismantled the illegal network after a series of dramatic clashes.
Many years passed, and the area transformed into a quiet place that only held memories of the former alcoholic chaos. But in 2012, the scent of distillation reappeared—Kings County Distillery opened within the confines of that very Navy Yard. The new craft factory symbolically summed up the area’s history—it brought distillation back to where it once flourished, but now legally, openly, and with respect for local heritage.
The Kings County Distillery Story
It all started when Colin Spoelman brought bottles of moonshine from his native Harlan, Kentucky, to his New York apartment. He brought them to parties and saw the same effect every time—people enthusiastically tasted it, asked where it came from, and asked for more. Eventually, curiosity grew into experimentation. Colin started making his own moonshine in New York—illegally at first, just to test it out. But one day he wondered: what if this Eastern Kentucky tradition could be brought here, to the city of skyscrapers?
It became a reality after New York State loosened legislation and allowed micro-distilleries. Along with his friend and roommate David Haskell, Spoelman opened Kings County Distillery in a tiny 325-square-foot space in East Williamsburg. Five small 24-liter stills worked seven days a week, 16 hours a day. It was the smallest commercial distillery in the country—and perhaps one of the most ambitious. New York suddenly became a city that craved whiskey again: bars like Whiskey Soda Lounge in Red Hook and Grand Bar at the Soho Grand Hotel were opening. Colin joked:
“The time for vodka is over.”
In 2012, the distillery made a symbolic move—relocating to the historic Paymaster Building in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Literally steps away from where the famous Brooklyn Whiskey Wars raged in the 19th century, the smell of malt distillation returned.
“It’s a strange convergence of ritual and history that defies the typical New York pursuit of novelty,” Spoelman said. “Whiskey is about slowing down, aging, it’s a thing that doesn’t tolerate trends.”
Success was swift: double gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, awards from the American Craft Spirits Association, ASCOT, and recognition from Whiskey Advocate and The New York Times. It seemed that a small enthusiast project had turned into a genuine trendsetter in whiskey.
At the same time, Colin and David never stopped researching the history of the drink that made their venture possible. They wrote books—about urban moonshining, dead and forgotten distillers, and American Bourbon. Their Bourbon Family Tree became a hit.
Kings County is not just about bottles. It’s about the spirit of the craft, the history of the place, the community of people, and the stubbornness of those who are not afraid to patiently age flavor for years.
The Authentic Taste of Brooklyn
At the core of everything Kings County Distillery does is a simple, yet persistent idea: whiskey must be authentic—born from their own hands, their own grain, their own fermentation. From the very beginning, Kings County championed craft over loud marketing. Today, that philosophy can be tasted in every drop of their spirits.
They have never sold outside product or re-labeled another brand’s spirits. Everything is distilled from scratch, in their own pot stills and to their own specifications. This is already a rarity among craft distilleries, but Kings County also remains completely focused solely on whiskey. Where others diversify into gins or rums, they have chosen one path and follow it methodically.
Each of their products is not a whim, but a stage in the distillery’s mastery. From young corn whiskey, they progressed to aged bourbons, which today range from 2 to 7 years old.
They also produce experimental varieties—peated bourbon, American single malt, and craft bottled-in-bond. They also contributed to the creation of Empire Rye—a new standard for New York rye. And they imported copper pot stills from Scotland, which added depth and character to the production. Everything, from mashing the grain to fermentation and aging, has always remained on Brooklyn territory.
Later, a new Vendome still arrived with a preserved “swan neck”—the classic curve that shapes the spirit’s character. This equipment allowed them to increase capacity fivefold and complete a four-year technological project. Thus, Kings County, New York’s first legal distillery after Prohibition, entered a new level. Their $200$ml bottle was once a symbol of Brooklyn craft. People carried it in their pockets, bought it for a taste, and gave it to friends. But time passed, and customers returned—now with a request for something more.
The new $750$ ml bottles were a logical step. In 2019, they were custom-ordered and manufactured in England. The classic Straight Bourbon, Peated Bourbon, and Single Malt now exist in a full “adult” format. Yet, the company has not abandoned the smaller bottles that have become part of its DNA.
The unique taste of Kings County whiskey is the result of slow distillation in pot stills, careful selection, and deep attention to blending. Paradoxically, their freedom is born from limitation. Only grain and water—that is the foundation of the recipe. No extraneous sweetening, no decoration. A simplicity that demands mastery.
Traditions You Can Taste
Kings County Distillery opens its doors to anyone who wants to dive into the world of craft whiskey. The distillery blends tradition with modern approaches, offering visitors a unique experience. Here, you can not only see how bourbon, peated whiskey, Empire Rye, and other signature whiskeys are created but also try them during a tasting.
Kings County Distillery visitor formats:
- Distillery Tours.
A grand factory tour during which visitors learn about all the production processes and what makes Kings County Distillery’s whiskey unique. Special tasting tours are available, where guests learn to taste and evaluate whiskey like experts.
- Private Events.
The distillery offers event planning for various occasions—birthday parties, private tours, or any other celebration. There are three spaces to choose from, allowing for the ideal format for any event.
- Wedding Ceremonies.
For those who wish to make their special day even more unforgettable, Kings County Distillery offers wedding organization. The distillery team creates an atmosphere that blends tradition and modern style, making the celebration unique.
All visitor programs are based on the principle of founder Colin Spoelman:
“Do it by feel, do it by taste.”
Thanks to this approach, Kings County Distillery has gained international recognition, received numerous awards, and has been named “Distillery of the Year” twice. Every visitor has the opportunity to enjoy unique craft whiskey and experience the magic of the Brooklyn tradition.
Kings County is proof that the last word on American whiskey is far from being said. And that true flavor is born where there is persistence, craft, and a refusal to take the easy way out.