Kings County Distillery has introduced a significant addition to its core whiskey lineup with the launch of Straight Empire Rye. The debut of this offering marks the first time the Brooklyn-based producer has been able to offer a rye expression as a permanent flagship rather than a limited release.

The Straight Empire Rye is a 90-proof whiskey that is positioned as a deliberate effort to reconnect with New York’s historical rye whiskey tradition. The expression utilizes an 80% Danko rye mashbill sourced from Ancramdale, New York, complemented by 20% English malted barley. The production process emphasizes regional authenticity through double pot distillation and a minimum three-year aging period in charred oak barrels.

Kings County Distillery also marks its spirit with the Empire Rye insignia — a certification established by New York distillers in 2017 — that further validates its regional provenance and craft production standards.

Image Credit: Kings County Distillery