About Black Fly Rye
Black Fly was founded in 2013 by Keith and Steph Hadik. Their Gristmill distillery is wholeheartedly New York from grain to finish. Nestled in the Adirondack mountains, the rustic facility sources provincial ingredients for their handcrafted whiskeys, stating “We source locally, we mash locally, and we distill locally.” In 2007, New York State passed the Farm Distillery Act, which made distilling accessible to smaller businesses, it was after this law was passed that Keith Van Sise pursued a license to operate a New York State farm distillery.
Gristmill’s skillfully crafted Black Fly Rye is named after the local black flies that inhabit the area:
“Black flies are synonymous with the Adirondacks, as anyone spending time here can tell you. Like us, they’re active in the mountains and seek out adventurers making their way through the High Peaks. We grudgingly co-exist with these small but fierce locals (and find that our Black Fly bourbon whiskey is just the thing to take the edge off their bite)” (Gristmill Distillers).
Black Fly Rye Whiskey is a bold spirit, distilled from a 70/30 mash of Adirondack Organic Grains’ rye and corn. This release is much bolder than other Black Fly expressions. With earthy, grainy and peppery notes, this rye blend also has sweet flavors of corn. Aged in U.S. Barrel’s oak casks, it comes in three sizes, 200, 375, and 750ml, and is bottled at 85 proof.
Pick up a bottle of this bold rye whiskey today!
About Gristmill Distillers
Gristmill encapsulates Upstate New York's rich agricultural heritage. The company, combining their love of whiskey and fresh mountain air, distilled their first spirit, a corn whiskey, at the end of 2014. Rusty Piton Corn Whiskey was released April 2016. Committed to distilling quality brandies and whiskies, Gristmill stresses the importance of local ingredients, using water sourced from a spring within a few paces of their facility. Their corn is grown by Adirondack Organic Grains in nearby Essex. The Adirondack Park, is home to Gristmill Distillers, six million acres of protected land, "designated Forever Wild by the New York State Constitution in 1894." For over a century, these mountains have been a haven for hikers, climbers, cyclists, fishermen, and skiers.
About Rye
As American as the bald eagle, rye whiskey was first brewed in the American Northeast in the 1600s. Even George Washington distilled it after leaving the Oval Office, so there’s no way of denying its origin.
It’s distinguished from bourbon for its original and unique spicy notes.
By law, rye whiskey must be made from at least 51% rye grain, aged in new and charred oak barrels for at least two years, and bottled at no more than 62,5% ABV.
Check out our impressive selection of rye whiskeys, find your new favorites in The best-reviewed rye whiskeys, and explore our treasury of Best rye bottles under $100.
