Bill Z.
Yelp
One of the people who was with me during our visit to Tuthilltown Distillery was heard to say: "Sign me up for your Booze of the Month Club... NOW!!!" (Sadly, I don't believe there is such a thing, but if there were, it would be about 3 notches beyond awesome).
Our visit here today was somewhere between fantastic and epic. That includes the staff (friendly, attentive, humorous, knowledgeable) and the spirits. I am also 66% happier with the tastings, because - and this is a fairly new update - New York State now allows you to sample 5 liquors instead of 3. You can also get unlimited samples of their non- or less-alcoholic products (the ones which are classified as "food") such as tonics, bitters, and syrups. It was still a tough decision to whittle my choices down to 5, but the woman who guided us through our tastings provided enough information on the backgrounds of the other liquors to help us make informed decisions.
The liquors are memorable. Yes, they do cost more, but you are definitely getting your money's worth. If you don't want to pay full price, do a Yelp check-in the first time for a 10% discount, and on future visits, bring your empty bottles for 10% discounts.
I thought I was done after sampling the ryes and bourbons and their own bitters, but then - evil people that they are - they let me sample their bourbon infused maple syrup. PANCAKES TOMORROW!!!
Be sure to also say hi to Bourbon and Rye, the two Kliban-esque cats who actually run the place. Bourbon is the more social of the two. Bourbon's primary purpose in life appears to be to guard the spot on the table where the sun shines... until you open a package of oyster crackers as a palate cleanser. Then Bourbon is your best friend. So actually, after visiting here, I have not one but two Bourbons as my best friends. The other is their four grain bourbon.
Be sure, besides considering this Distillery, to visit the Hudson Valley Beer Trail website - which also features distilleries such as this one - for more information.