Get an inside look at New York’s first stand-alone distillery with a private tour at Finger Lakes Distilling. Follow the transformation from grain to glass, ending with a tasting or craft cocktail in Burdett’s welcoming Tasting Room.
Get an inside look at New York’s first stand-alone distillery with a private tour at Finger Lakes Distilling. Follow the transformation from grain to glass, ending with a tasting or craft cocktail in Burdett’s welcoming Tasting Room.
Book with Finger Lakes Distilling
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Finger Lakes Distilling · Burdett, New York
Situated in the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes region, Finger Lakes Distilling stands as the state's first stand-alone distillery, inviting visitors into a hands-on journey of craft spirit production. Located in Burdett, a charming town surrounded by deep gorges and pristine vineyards, this distillery tour offers a vivid glimpse into the alchemy that turns local grains and fruits into premium spirits, reflecting the agricultural richness of the area.
The tour delivers a unique perspective on distillation, guiding guests through the working production and bottling facilities where traditional methods meet modern precision. Visitors witness the step-by-step process, from fermentation tanks bubbling with fresh grain mash to copper stills gently coaxing out complex flavors. This behind-the-scenes access reveals the craftsmanship and patience that define Finger Lakes Distilling’s award-winning labels.
Beyond the technical tour, the experience culminates in the inviting Tasting Room, where guests sip on thoughtfully curated tastings or signature craft cocktails. Here, the spirit of the Finger Lakes is distilled not just into bottles, but into lively conversations and fresh appreciation for the region’s distilling heritage.
Burdett’s location between rolling hills, clear-water lakes, and nearby state parks adds to the appeal, offering a balance of outdoor adventure and refined indulgence. The distillery’s commitment to local ingredients and sustainable practices ties into the broader environmental stewardship seen across the Finger Lakes area.
A visit to Finger Lakes Distilling is more than a casual tasting—it’s an immersive dive into a craft that’s as much about place as it is about flavor. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast winding down after a day hike or a spirits aficionado eager to trace a whiskey’s origin, this tour enriches your Finger Lakes adventure with a taste of authentic craftsmanship.
easy.
1 hour.
No physical fitness required; tours are mostly standing and walking on flat, indoor surfaces.
Tours are restricted to guests aged 21 and over due to tasting and alcohol regulations.
Each tour is approximately one hour, including the tasting session.
Yes, you can purchase bottles of their spirits and handcrafted cocktails on site.
Photography is permitted except in certain sensitive production areas where flash may be restricted.
Pets are not allowed inside the distillery for health and safety reasons.
Tours must be booked a week in advance; specific cancellation details should be confirmed at booking.
Finger Lakes Distilling opened as New York’s first stand-alone distillery, pioneering a craft movement in a region better known for wine.
The distillery prioritizes sourcing local ingredients to reduce environmental impact and supports sustainable farming practices in the region.
Finger Lakes Distilling is located in Burdett, New York, and operates as New York's first stand‑alone distillery. The distillery offers guided tours of its production and bottling facilities, where visitors can observe the grain- and fruit-to-spirit process. Tours conclude in an on-site Tasting Room where guests can sample spirits or enjoy a craft cocktail. The tour experience focuses on the technical and sensory aspects of distillation, with staff explaining mash, fermentation, distillation, and bottling procedures. Finger Lakes Distilling produces a range of spirits using local ingredients and established distilling methods. The facility emphasizes transparency in production and provides a private setting for small-group tours and tastings. Visitors gain direct exposure to the equipment and workflow of a working distillery, followed by curated sensory tasting notes during the final tasting session. As an early independent distillery in New York, Finger Lakes Distilling occupies an identifiable place in the regional craft spirits landscape. The business accommodates visitors interested in education, flavor exploration, and craft cocktail preparation. Reservations are recommended for the Distillery Tour to ensure availability in the Tasting Room. The Distillery Tour is a private tour of the production and bottling facilities. The experience includes a guided walk through the stillhouse, an explanation of grain and fruit selection, and concludes with a tasting or a craft cocktail in the Tasting Room. Reservations are recommended for all tours.
Book with Finger Lakes Distilling