Albany Distilling opens new facility, will employ new workers
Staff Writer |
Albany Distilling Company opened its new facility on Livingston Avenue.
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Albany Distilling, which was the city's first licensed distillery since the beginning of Prohibition, invested in the expansion project as a result of increased product demand and the need for additional barrel storage space.
The company will add eight new employees to support the expansion in downtown Albany.
Founded in early 2011, Albany Distilling began its operations in July 2012. The company's first product was whiskey, a bourbon mash first released as a new make and eventually as a three-month-old bourbon.
An unaged rum was then inspired by the company's proximity to Albany's original 18th century distillery.
Over the years, Albany Distilling expanded its offerings to include more whiskeys and a range of spirits, including products created in collaboration with other small local businesses like Nine Pin Ciderworks and Death Wish Coffee.
The new location includes more than 3,000-square-feet of the total 6,000-square-foot property, which was built in 1846 as a residence and later served as horse stables and a Nabisco factory warehouse.
It features a tasting room, accompanied by a full bar offering New York-made spirits, cider, wine and beer.
This expansion provides customers with a full craft beverage experience including prints and posters from New York State, slate drink coasters from Queens, and whiskey flights served on maple cutting boards made in the Adirondacks.
Albany Distilling invested more than $1 million in property acquisition, fit-up, fixtures and production elements.
To encourage this expansion, Empire State Development is providing up to $60,000 through a capital grant.
Capitalize Albany Corporation and the City of Albany Capital Resource Corporation also supported the building renovation with a $30,000 grant through the Downtown Albany Retail Grant Program. ■