Defiant Rye Whiskey

Nestled in the foothills of the Catskill mountains and located just moments away from the site of the original Woodstock Music Festival, Catskill Distilling Company honors the rich history of the Sullivan County Catskills – a unique blend of tradition and revolution.

Over three decades ago, Monte Sachs – Catskill Distilling Company’s founder and distiller – attended veterinary school at the University of Pisa in Italy. After class each day, Sachs would meet with an Italian farmer named Bernardini, who taught Sachs how to distill grappa. “He taught me about the importance of sourcing quality ingredients from small farms and about how the shape and size of a still is reflected in the weight and mouthfeel of the spirits,” says Sachs.

Catskill Distilling Company’s Defiant Rye Whiskey is crafted from a mash of 65% rye grains and 35% malted barley, both of which are also sourced from local farms.

Defiant Rye Whiskey has an aroma of caramel, brown sugar and molasses that gives way to notes of creamy vanilla and mocha on the palate. Lingering touches of tropical fruits – particularly bananas and coconuts – lead to smooth finish accented by notes of woody spices. Defiant Rye Whiskey earned the Gold Medal at The Fifty Best Tasting Competition, and was named a “Must-Try Whiskey”by Wine Enthusiast.