Everything you need to know about Tuthilltown Distillery

Overview & History

Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery was founded in 2003 in Gardiner, New York, in the Hudson Valley.

It is widely regarded as one of the pioneering modern craft whiskey distilleries in the United States, emerging during the early revival of small-scale American distilling after decades of industry consolidation.

The distillery became best known for its Hudson Whiskey range, particularly Hudson Baby Bourbon, which gained significant attention as one of the first legal pot-distilled bourbons produced in New York after Prohibition-era restrictions.

The distillery was later acquired by William Grant & Sons.

Production

• Spirit Type: Bourbon, rye, and American whiskey
• Distillation: Copper pot stills
• Scale: Craft production
• Barrels: Small-format charred oak barrels (especially in early production)
• Approach: Grain-forward, locally influenced whiskey production

The early use of smaller barrels accelerated maturation and gave the whiskies a distinctive oak influence.

Whisky Style

Tuthilltown / Hudson whiskies typically show:

• Rich grain character
• Pronounced oak influence
• Caramel and vanilla
• Spice and toasted wood
• Full-bodied texture

The smaller barrel maturation often produced more intense wood extraction at younger ages.

Key Expressions

• Hudson Baby Bourbon – Corn-based craft bourbon
• Hudson Manhattan Rye – Rye whiskey expression
• Hudson Four Grain Bourbon – Multi-grain mash bill
• Various modern Hudson Whiskey releases

The Hudson brand remains the primary identity associated with the distillery.

Significance

Tuthilltown played a major role in the American craft distilling revival, helping demonstrate that small-scale whiskey production could succeed commercially in the modern era.

Its influence extends beyond New York, as it became a model for many later craft whiskey distilleries across the United States.