Di-still My Heart: Field Trip To The NY Distilling Co.

Matthew Calbraith Perry, Commandant of the Brooklyn Navy Yard from 1841-43, and the namesake of a Brooklyn-made gin.

Earlier this week, the Brooklyn Brewery team snuck out from behind their respective fermenters and computers to visit the New York Distilling Company, the gin and rye whisky producer founded by Tom Potter (who along with Steve Hindy gave birth to and raised up The Brooklyn Brewery) Tom’s son, Bill (who is also the distillery’s production manager) and Allen Katz, one of the leading experts on distilled spirits and cocktails.

Tom and Bill showed us around the facility, featuring at its heart a steampunk-inspired copper still with which all were thoroughly impressed based on looks alone, not to mention the fact that it makes spirits. Connected to the distillery is The Shanty, a full-service bar featuring cocktails made with NY Distilling Co. products where the dazzling distilling equipment is on display through a large glass window. At The Shanty, Allen treated us to a taste of both Perry’s Tot “Navy Strength Gin” and Dorothy Parker “American Gin”, and mixed up some cocktails including the “classic” Tot & Tonic and the Sauvetage (Dorothy Parker, Bittermen’s Amer Sauvage, Carpano Antica & grapefruit served up with an orange twist).

After sampling these fine spirits, some fine food was in order. We hopped on the L to Roberta’s in Bushwick and feasted on meat and cheese, Caesar salad, a beet medley tray, brick oven pizzas (including the “Millennium Falco” and “Cheesus Christ”) and a few bowls of gelato. Sorachi Ace on draft was the cherry on top.

The standing still.