The Distillery Story

Fort Hamilton Distillery, located in Industry City, Brooklyn, New York, was founded in 2016 by Alex Clark and Amy Grindeland with a mission to revive the classic pre-Prohibition New York rye whiskey. Named after the historic Fort Hamilton, which itself honors Alexander Hamilton, the distillery is deeply rooted in American history and the legacy of rye whiskey as the original spirit of the United States. Fort Hamilton specializes in crafting authentic rye whiskeys with mash bills that exclude corn, staying true to the Monongahela rye tradition. Their production process emphasizes small-batch distillation using high-quality New York grains, and their barrels are heat-cycled during the winter to replicate historical aging techniques. This attention to detail results in bold, flavorful spirits that stand apart in the market. The distillery’s flagship products include Fort Hamilton Single Barrel Rye and Double Barrel Rye, both designed with classic cocktails like the Manhattan in mind. They also produce a gin distilled with watermelon and cucumber, as well as a bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup used in their signature Maple Old Fashioned.