In the U.S., the tradition of apple Spirits dates as far back as the 1600s, when early colonists started cultivating apple orchards throughout the Northeast and producing hard cider and “apple jack”. By the 18th century, apple Brandy became so popular, George Washington even himself sold some of his own making.
Founded in 2013 by Keith and Steph Hadik, Black Fly is a product of Gristmill distillery. Nestled in the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York, rustic facility sources provincial ingredients for their handcrafted Whiskeys.
In 2007 New York State passed legislation that made distilling accessible to smaller businesses. Keith Van Sise decided to seize the day and got a license to operate a New York State Farm distillery.
Gristmill is a true Upstate New Yorker, embracing its rich agricultural heritage, and fresh mountain air. They advocate the importance of using local ingredients and source their water from a spring within a few paces of their facility. Their corn is grown by Adirondack Organic Grains in nearby Essex.
Gristmill’s Black Fly range of Spirits is named after the local black flies that Gristmill says inhabit the area. Their 1892 Apple Brandy is an homage to the Gristmill Distillers’ home, Adirondack Park.
The Brandy apples are grown, picked, and pressed fresh by Rulf’s Orchard, less than thirty-five miles down the road in Peru. And their barrels are made to order from U.S. Barrel, the oldest cooperage in the northeast, in nearby Wilmington. They rest in these new American oak barrels after being twice distilled.
Smartass Corner: Adirondack Park is the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States.
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Category
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Style
Apple Brandy
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Country
United States
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Alcohol
41%
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Distillery