Kings County Distillery has introduced a significant addition to its core whiskey lineup with the launch of Straight Empire Rye. The debut of this offering marks the first time the Brooklyn-based producer has been able to offer a rye expression as a permanent flagship rather than a limited release.
The Straight Empire Rye is a 90-proof whiskey that is positioned as a deliberate effort to reconnect with New York's historical rye whiskey tradition. The expression utilizes an 80% Danko rye mashbill sourced from Ancramdale, New York, complemented by 20% English malted barley. The production process emphasizes regional authenticity through double pot distillation and a minimum three-year aging period in charred oak barrels.
Kings County Distillery also marks its spirit with the Empire Rye insignia — a certification established by New York distillers in 2017 — that further validates its regional provenance and craft production standards.
Image Credit: Kings County Distillery
What's Driving This Trend
- Regional Revival
- The resurgence of locally sourced ingredients and traditional methods in whiskey production represents a shift towards celebrating regional authenticity.
- Empire Rye Certification
- The adoption and promotion of the Empire Rye certification underscores a growing trend in establishing niche industry standards to guarantee quality and regional identity.
- Full-time Rye Offerings
- The move from limited releases to permanent rye whiskey offerings indicates a trend towards meeting sustained consumer interest and demand for classic spirit types.
Who This Affects Most
- Craft Distilling
- Craft distilleries are finding unique opportunities in revitalizing historical spirits, promoting regional ingredients, and creating certifications to differentiate products.
- Agriculture and Farming
- Sourcing local grains for distilling boosts the agricultural sector, offering a platform for innovative partnerships with regional farmers.
- Barrel Aging Technology
- The emphasis on aging processes is energizing innovations in barrel production and treatment technologies to enhance spirit maturation quality.
