Black Button Distilling: Rochester Whisky History, Bottles and Closure
Black Button was a significant name in Rochester’s modern distilling revival, with locally sourced grain, bourbon, Empire Rye and a substantial University Avenue premises. Its story now needs to be read historically. Founder Jason Barrett’s current public account describes Black Button as a distillery that closed in 2025. Earlier rescue announcements and old tasting-room pages should therefore not be used to advertise an operating visitor attraction.
Information checked on 27 October 2026.
Historical view of Black Button’s Rochester distilling equipment, before the closure.
At a glance
At a glance | Black Button Distilling |
|---|---|
Country | United States |
State | New York |
City | Rochester |
Founded | 2012 |
Founder | Jason Barrett |
Former address | 1344 University Avenue,Rochester,NY 14607 |
Earlier address | 85 Railroad Street,Rochester |
Status | Closed; founder statement checked 27 October 2026 |
2025 transaction | Acquired by Blackstar; later brand disposition not established here |
Visitor position | No current tasting room or tours confirmed |
In this guide
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From a family trade to Rochester whiskey
Barrett founded Black Button in 2012. The name reflects his family’s button-making business and his own colour blindness. The distillery became part of Rochester’s craft-drinks community, with Four Grain Bourbon and Empire Rye among its defining whiskies.
Blackstar’s September 2025 announcement promised investment and continued operations. The transaction adviser confirms the sale, but subsequent events changed the picture: in a November 2025 interview, Barrett described staff layoffs and the sale of barrel and bottled inventory. His later public statement says Black Button closed. This guide records that sequence without treating the initial rescue plan as a current operating guarantee.
Two Rochester addresses, both part of the history
The first premises was at 85 Railroad Street. In July 2023, Barrett announced the move to 1344 University Avenue, with a public opening planned for 15 July. The new venue combined production with a larger tasting-room operation and spaces for classes and events.
Those addresses identify the distillery’s physical history. They are not recommendations to arrive for a tour today. The 2023 opening announcement and photographs preserve the scale of the expansion, while the later closure explains why old opening hours and online pickup instructions are no longer reliable visitor information.
New York ingredients and a hybrid still system
The distributor’s technical account describes a column-to-pot-to-column arrangement designed by Barrett, with double-pass distillation. It identifies Edgewood Farm in Groveland as a grain source and Hemlock Lake as the water source. These are details of the established Rochester operation, not claims about continuing production after closure.
Different grain recipes gave the range distinct identities. The documented Four Grain Bourbon combines 60% corn,20% wheat,11% malted barley and 9% rye. Pre-Prohibition Bourbon uses 80% corn with 10% each rye and malted barley. Empire Rye instead uses 94% Danko rye and 6% malted barley. The recipes should not be swapped simply because all three came from the same producer.
Read the bottle’s edition carefully
The historical Four Grain bottle pictured here is 84 US proof, or 42% ABV, and states a minimum of two years. A later distributor sheet gives a three-year minimum for the expression. Both records can exist, but a later specification should not be silently applied to an older pictured batch.
The documented Pre-Prohibition release is 50% ABV, with a five-year minimum in 30-gallon barrels. The Empire Rye sheet records 48% ABV and at least four years in 30-gallon barrels. Older Empire Rye bottles have circulated at other strengths, so the exact label remains essential when identifying a bottle. The cards use the reviewed trade specifications and identify the earlier Four Grain image separately.
Four Grain Straight Bourbon, historical 84 proofedition Pre-Prohibition Style Straight Bourbon Empire Straight Rye
The tasting descriptions below paraphrase the producer’s notes. They are not Whisky Clan tasting scores.
Four Grain Straight Bourbon, historical 84 proofedition
Style: New York straight bourbon
Age: Pictured batch: at least 2 years; later trade specification differs
Strength: 42% ABV (84 US proof)
Cask or maturation: 30-gallon American oak barrels
Nose: Fresh oak, toffee and leather.
Palate: Caramel and vanilla.
Finish: Oak and vanilla.
Pre-Prohibition Style Straight Bourbon
Style: New York straight bourbon
Age: At least 5 years, reviewed trade specification
Strength: 50% ABV (100 US proof)
Cask or maturation: 30-gallon barrels
Nose: Corn, seasoned wood and caramel.
Palate: Sweet cinnamon and spice.
Finish: Toffee, milk chocolate and earthy notes.
Empire Straight Rye
Style: New York straight rye whiskey
Age: At least 4 years, reviewed trade specification
Strength: 48% ABV (96 US proof)
Cask or maturation: 30-gallon barrels
Nose: Black pepper and savoury spice.
Palate: Nectarine skin, roasted hazelnut and vanilla.
Finish: Clove and toasted oak.
Anniversary whiskey and dated recognition
The tenth-anniversary bourbon is a distinct 55% ABVrelease selected from six- and seven-year barrels. Its producer description presents caramel and oak on the nose, cherry and spice through the palate, and a maple-like finish. The name marks the company anniversary; it does not mean the whiskey is ten years old.
The 2023 opening press release reports a San Francisco World Spirits Competition gold for Cask Strength Bourbon and silver for Empire Rye that year. Those are dated producer-reported results. They do not establish a current award for every release or justify attaching a medal to a different batch. No continuing release schedule is assumed after closure.
Treat this as a former-distillery guide
The tasting room closed during the 2025 difficulties, and the founder’s later account confirms the distillery’s closure. There is no verified current public tour, tasting booking or walk-in bottle shop to recommend. Old reservation pages, event announcements and pickup instructions should be treated as historical material.
Bottles already in circulation may still be offered by retailers or collectors. A seller’s listing establishes neither a restarted Rochester distillery nor a guaranteed supply of future releases. Before buying, compare the stated proof, age wording and label with the exact edition you want. This is especially useful where a long-running product changed specifications over time.
Other New York whisky producers
These guides are suggestions for further reading. Check locations, travel distances and current bookings when planning a visit.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Black Button Distilling currently open?
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Why do Four Grain age descriptions differ?
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