KINGS COUNTY DISTILLERY RYE 750ML

Kings County Distillery Straight Empire Rye

Kings County Distillery Straight Empire Rye is a distinctive Brooklyn-made rye whiskey that draws directly on New York State's historic pre-Prohibition rye tradition. It is one of the distillery's signature straight whiskeys and is made grain-to-glass in the Northeast. Kings County Distillery+1

Detailed Description

The whiskey uses a two-grain, high-rye mash bill of 80% New York-grown Danko rye and 20% English Golden Promise malted barley. Importantly, there is no corn in the recipe, allowing the rye grain's spicy, herbal and fruity character to remain prominent. Kings County Distillery

Kings County double pot distills the whiskey using traditional pot stills and ages it for a minimum of three years in charred oak barrels. The result is a rye with considerably more malt and pot-distilled richness than many large-production American ryes. Kings County Distillery

Tasting Notes

Nose:

Aromatic and expressive, with honeycomb, orange zest and cinnamon leading into subtle herbal and grain notes.

Palate:

Rich and layered, showing toffee brittle, dried apricot and barrel spice. The high percentage of rye provides characteristic peppery spice, while the malted barley adds roundness and depth.

Finish:

Long, warming and complex, with lingering flavors of maple, anisette and marzipan, accompanied by gentle rye spice. Kings County Distillery

What Makes It Special

The whiskey qualifies as Empire Rye, a New York-specific rye category developed by New York distillers to revive the state's historic rye-whiskey heritage. Empire Rye must use at least 75% New York-grown rye, be distilled in New York, and meet the requirements for straight rye whiskey. Kings County goes beyond the minimum with its 80% New York rye recipe. Kings County Distillery+1

This gives the whiskey a strong sense of place: New York-grown grain, Brooklyn distillation and a style inspired by the rye whiskey that once dominated the Northeast. Kings County Distillery

Best Served

1. Neat, for the fullest expression of the rye and malt
2. Over a large ice cube
3. Manhattan
4. Old Fashioned
5. Sazerac
6. Boulevardier

Kings County specifically recommends its Straight Empire Rye for a classic Sazerac. Kings County Distillery

Short Product Description

Kings County Distillery Straight Empire Rye is a richly expressive New York rye whiskey made from 80% locally grown Danko rye and 20% Golden Promise malted barley. Double pot distilled and aged for a minimum of three years in charred oak, it opens with honeycomb, orange zest and cinnamon before revealing layers of toffee, dried apricot and barrel spice. A long finish of maple, anisette and marzipan completes this distinctive, high-rye whiskey—a modern expression of New York's historic rye tradition. Kings County Distillery

Kings County Distillery — Straight Empire Rye

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