The region's first stand-alone distillery — handcrafting award-winning spirits from Finger Lakes grains and fruit since 2007.
Burdett, NY
Open Daily · Thu–Sat until 8 PM
~5 miles from Watkins Glen
Since 2007 · NYS Farm Distillery
Tippling House Cocktail Bar
Dog Friendly
About
Finger Lakes Distilling
Finger Lakes Distilling is the region's first stand-alone craft distillery — established in Burdett, NY in 2007 by Brian McKenzie and Thomas Earl McKenzie, two men who met at a craft distiller's conference and discovered a shared passion for high-quality handmade spirits. Neither finance background nor farm background alone would have been enough. Together, they built something that's become a landmark of the Finger Lakes.
As a New York State Farm Distillery, every spirit starts with locally grown fruit and grains. Two copper stills — a 350-gallon German-made pot still and a 25-foot continuous still from Vendome Copper and Brass Works in Kentucky — do the work. The lineup spans McKenzie Whiskey (bourbon, rye, and bottled-in-bond), Seneca Drums Gin, Vintner's Vodka made from Finger Lakes grapes, brandy, grappa, and a range of liqueurs. No extracts, no synthetic flavorings — just real ingredients and time-honored technique.
The tasting room overlooks the production floor for an educational and immersive experience. The Tippling House serves cocktails and light bites with deck seating and sweeping Seneca Lake views. And for the truly hands-on visitor, the make-your-own-gin workshop lets groups of up to 8 distill and bottle their own custom blend.
In Our Words
Our Story
Finger Lakes Distilling is the real deal — and has been since before craft distilling was a thing people planned road trips around. The McKenzie Bourbon regularly surprises people who come in expecting a regional novelty and leave reconsidering what they thought they knew about American whiskey. The rye is exceptional. The Vintner's Vodka — distilled from actual Finger Lakes grapes — is unlike any vodka you've tasted.
The building alone is worth the stop. That Scottish distillery-inspired architecture with the pagoda roofline sitting above Seneca Lake is one of the most distinctive views on Route 414. If you have any interest at all in how spirits are made, the production floor view from the tasting room is genuinely fascinating. And if you want to go deeper, the make-your-own-gin workshop is one of the most memorable experiences in the entire region.
— South East Seneca
Why Visit
What to Expect
Award-Winning Spirits
McKenzie Bourbon, Rye, Seneca Drums Gin, Vintner's Vodka, brandy, grappa and liqueurs — all handcrafted on-site.
The Tippling House
Craft cocktails, local beer, wine, and light bites with deck seating overlooking Seneca Lake.
Make Your Own Gin
A hands-on workshop for groups of 1–8. Create your own botanical blend, distill it, and bottle it to take home.
Production Floor Views
The tasting room overlooks the production area — see both copper stills in action during your visit.
NYS Farm Distillery
All spirits made from locally grown Finger Lakes grains and fruit — no extracts, no shortcuts.
Dog Friendly
Dogs welcome — one of the most dog-friendly stops on the east shore of Seneca Lake.
The Spirits
What's in the Glass
All spirits are handcrafted on-site using two copper stills and locally sourced ingredients. Tasting flights available — ask about current seasonal and limited releases.
McKenzie Bourbon ★Sweet mash bourbon aged in new charred oak — consistently surprises whiskey veterans
McKenzie RyeEmpire Rye style — part of a NY State effort to revive pre-Prohibition rye heritage
Bottled-in-Bond BourbonSingle distillery, single season, aged 4+ years at 100 proof — a real achievement
Seneca Drums Gin ★Named NY's Best Spirit — locally sourced botanicals, clean and distinctive
Vintner's VodkaDistilled from Finger Lakes grapes — has the character of the wine it came from
Brandy, Grappa & LiqueursPear, apple, and grape brandies plus a range of fruit liqueurs — all made with real local fruit
Full current menu at fingerlakesdistilling.com — call (607) 546-5510 for today's tasting flight selections.
Experiences
More Than a Tasting
Finger Lakes Distilling offers experiences you won't find anywhere else on the Seneca Lake trail.
Make Your Own Gin Workshop
Designed for groups of 1–8. Choose your botanicals, create your own blend, distill it on-site, and take home a bottle of your own gin. One of the most unique experiences in the Finger Lakes. Reservations required.
The Tippling House
A dedicated cocktail bar and light food menu with outdoor deck seating overlooking Seneca Lake. Handcrafted cocktails featuring Finger Lakes Distilling spirits, plus local beer and wine. Open during regular tasting room hours.
Production Floor Views
The tasting room is designed so visitors can see directly into the production area. Watch the stills, ask questions, and understand how each spirit gets made — a genuinely educational experience.
Special Events
Derby parties, dinner pairings with local restaurants, seasonal releases, and more throughout the year. Follow on Facebook for the latest event announcements.
Gallery
Photos
Photos · Finger Lakes Distilling, Burdett NY
Plan Your Visit
Tips for Visitors
Start with the McKenzie Bourbon — it regularly surprises people who think they know American whiskey.
Don't skip the Tippling House — the deck view of Seneca Lake is one of the best on Route 414.
Book the make-your-own-gin workshop ahead of time — it fills up fast and is limited to 8 people.
Groups of 12 or more require a reservation — call ahead at (607) 546-5510.
Open 7 days a week — Thursday through Saturday they stay open until 8 PM.
Dogs are welcome — bring them along for the visit.
About 5 miles north of Watkins Glen on Route 414 — easy to pair with a state park visit.
What's On
Events & Experiences
By Reservation · Year-Round
Make Your Own Gin Workshop
Groups of 1–8 select botanicals, blend, distill, and bottle their own custom gin on-site. One of the most unique experiences in the Finger Lakes. Book in advance.
Year-Round
Daily (when open)
Tasting Flights & Cocktails
Spirit tasting flights available every day. The Tippling House serves handcrafted cocktails and light bites with deck seating and Seneca Lake views.
Daily
Year-Round
Special Events & Dinners
Derby parties, dinner pairings with local restaurants, seasonal releases, and specialty events throughout the year. Follow on Facebook for announcements.
Seasonal
Year-Round
Seasonal Spirit Releases
New and limited expressions released throughout the year — check the website or socials for what's currently available in the tasting room and to-go.
