A HEARTY TOAST TO NEW YORK AND IRELAND.

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In the early 1800s, New York produced more than half of the nation's barley and rye and hundreds of farm distilleries crafted whiskey and gin with its high-quality grain. Of course, that all changed in the 1930s, when Prohibition forced the purveyors to close their doors. With a story 200 years in the making, Hillrock Estate Distillery is one of the few "field-to-glass" whiskey producers in the world and is the first in the U.S. since Prohibition to floor malt and hand craft whiskey on site from estate-grown grain. By controlling every aspect of production--from planting heirloom grains right through to hand bottling at their estate in the beautiful Hudson Valley highlands--Hillrock creates the highest quality whiskies reflecting the local terroir. Its Double Cask Rye ($99), handcrafted in small batches, has a deep amber color, highlighted...