Kings County Distillery: Brooklyn, New York
Updated: 15 hours ago
Kings County Distillery makes whiskey inside the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York City. It describes itself as the city's oldest whiskey distillery, a claim also repeated by The Independent, and it began life in a room barely bigger than a walk-in wardrobe.
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Kings County at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Producer / distillery | Kings County |
Location | New York, United States |
Ownership | Founded by Colin Spoelman and David Haskell |
History / origin | Colin Spoelman and David Haskell, college friends and roommates, founded the distillery. Wikipedia dates the founding to 2009, spurred by changes in New York State law on the licensing of… |
Whisky characteristics | Brooklyn Navy Yard craft distilling including bourbon and rye |
Visiting | Consult current official visitor information; not every distillery is open to tours. |
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Founders and early years
Colin Spoelman and David Haskell, college friends and roommates, founded the distillery. Wikipedia dates the founding to 2009, spurred by changes in New York State law on the licensing of microdistilleries, with production starting in April 2010. The distillery's own site says it was first located in a 325 square foot room in East Williamsburg, where five 24 litre stainless steel stills ran seven days a week, 16 hours a day.
Spoelman grew up in Harlan, Kentucky. His own account says trips home, and jugs of moonshine from a local bootlegger, gave the pair the idea of making moonshine in Brooklyn for friends and neighbours. He is also the author of The Guide to Urban Moonshining, Dead Distillers and The Bourbon Drinker's Companion.
Moving to the Navy Yard
In 2012 the distillery moved into the Paymaster Building in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, close to the site of the Brooklyn Whiskey Wars of the 1860s and the former waterfront distillery district. The New York Times reported on the new stills in 2013, and Wikipedia says they were copper stills imported from Scotland. In 2016 it opened The Gatehouses, a tasting room in the historic Sands Street gate of the Navy Yard.
What it makes
The distillery says it is focused exclusively on whiskey, and that its spirit is always mashed, fermented, distilled and aged on site in Brooklyn, using Scottish copper pot stills, open fermentation and local grains. Wikipedia lists the range as:
Kings County Moonshine
Straight Bourbon
Peated Bourbon
Single Malt Whiskey
Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon
Empire Rye
Chocolate Whiskey
Kings County is also part of the Empire Rye project, which aims to set a standard of identity for rye made in New York State alongside other craft distillers.
Recognition
The American Distilling Institute named it Distillery of the Year in 2016, and the New Orleans Spirits Competition, held during Tales of the Cocktail, gave it the same title in 2023. Its site lists many San Francisco World Spirits Competition medals. In March 2026 The Spirits Business and Forbes reported that it had sold its one millionth bottle.
Visiting
The Gatehouses tasting room is at the Sands Street gate of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Opening hours and tours change, so check the distillery's website before travelling.
Sources
Kings County Distillery, About Us page (kingscountydistillery.com)
Wikipedia, Kings County Distillery, citing The Wall Street Journal (2010), New York Magazine (2010), The New York Times (2013), Grub Street (2016), The Spirits Business and Forbes (March 2026)
Gaps
Wikipedia and the distillery give different founding years (2009 and 2010). We have not confirmed still sizes, annual output or current opening hours. If you have more information about this distillery, or spot something we have got wrong, contact Whisky Clan and we will update this profile.
What makes Kings County distinctive?
Brooklyn Navy Yard craft distilling including bourbon and rye
Kings County whisky bottles and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Kings County Straight Bourbon | NAS / edition varies | Check label | Brooklyn Navy Yard craft distilling including bourbon and rye |
Kings County Peated Bourbon | NAS / edition varies | Check label | Brooklyn Navy Yard craft distilling including bourbon and rye |
Kings County Empire Rye | NAS / edition varies | Check label | Brooklyn Navy Yard craft distilling including bourbon and rye |
Named expressions include historic or limited releases and do not guarantee current availability, strength or specifications. Check the producer's labels.
Explore related distillery guides
Frequently asked questions about Kings County
Where is Kings County located?
New York, United States.
Who owns or operates Kings County?
Founded by Colin Spoelman and David Haskell.
What is distinctive about Kings County?
Brooklyn Navy Yard craft distilling including bourbon and rye
What whisky is associated with Kings County?
Kings County Straight Bourbon, Kings County Peated Bourbon, Kings County Empire Rye. Current availability must be checked.
Can you tour Kings County?
Please check the producer's current visitor information; not all locations welcome visitors.
Sources and editorial checks
Existing history and sources are retained above. Ownership, operating status, bottlings and tours may change.
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About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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