Kings County Empire Rye whiskey is part of a broader project with like-minded distillers throughout New York State. It marks an entry into a new rye whiskey category, derived from New York’s whiskey heritage, and exclusively crafted by and for New York distillers. The whiskey is made from 80% New York-grown Danko rye and 20% English barley malt, aged for at least three years in charred oak barrels. This potent entry into the much-loved category has earned multiple superlative awards and warm commentary from traditional whiskey critics. This limited-release whiskey appears once a year and quickly sells out. Unsurprisingly, it was named the best rye whiskey at the 2023 Tales of the Cocktail.