In this special BISTRO BUDDY feature, join Becky from The Hometown Explorer at the Sun Wine & Food Fest 2024 for an insightful interview with Jamey from Albany Distilling Company. Explore the roots and growth of Albany Distilling Co., a standout name in artisan spirits since its inception in 2011 by John Curtin. From the early days of Ironweed whiskey to the innovation behind ALB Vodka and the unique collaboration with Death Wish Coffee, discover the journey of a distillery that prides itself on quality, local sourcing, and expanding horizons. Dive into the story of a small company achieving big dreams, utilizing Albany's pristine waters, and making waves from local bars to New York City's bustling scene. This BISTRO BUDDY episode is a must-watch for anyone intrigued by the art of distillation, the spirit of entrepreneurship, and the taste of genuine craft spirits. Becky from the Hometown Explorer here with Bistro Buddy at the Sun Winan Foodfest 2024. So we're here with Jamie from Albany Distilling. Jamie, tell us a little bit about the business. Jamie: Hi, thanks for having me. So, the Albany Distilling Company started in 2011. Our founder and owner, John Curtin—though we share the same last name, we're not related—is a young man who started making whiskey, specifically a brand called Ironweed, named after a book by Bill Kennedy, a local author in Albany. John began making this whiskey in a warehouse by the river, but the process was slow because whiskey needs to age for four years. So, to generate revenue while waiting, he started selling four-month-old white dog bourbon. It wasn't much at first, but then he created Albany Vodka, about five years ago. Since then, we've been steadily growing, expanding into new markets day by day. We're a small company doing big things, excited about our progress. During the development of Albany Vodka, John partnered with Death Wish, a local coffee brand, to create a unique blend. We combined our vodka with Death Wish cold brew coffee, known as the most caffeinated coffee in the world. It's like an espresso martini in a bottle without added sugar. We've expanded into New York City, particularly in Manhattan, where we're doing well in bars, restaurants, and retail outlets. Becky: That's amazing! So, what products did you bring with you today? Jamie: Today, I brought our flagship product, Albany Vodka, which is a corn-based vodka blended with Albany's excellent limestone-filtered water. Additionally, I brought our newly introduced product, Awakens Spirit, the coffee vodka I mentioned earlier. Becky: Where can people find your products online? Jamie: You can visit AlbanyDistillingCompany.com. Currently, Albany Vodka is available at Jacob's Pickles restaurant and Total Wine in Connecticut. Awakens Spirit just launched, so it will become more widely available soon. Becky: Great! Thanks, Jamie, for chatting with us. Jamie: Thank you for having me. I appreciate it! Remember to like, share, and subscribe to BISTRO BUDDY and The Hometown Explorer for more engaging content on food, wine, spirits, and the stories behind them! Subscribe to BISTRO BUDDY for more engaging interviews and culinary explorations. And don't forget to visit BISTROBUDDY.com. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BistroBuddy Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bistro.buddy/ Subscribe to Hometown Explorer - https://www.youtube.com/@UCgrekWm81CgTUh6ULP-ZvEw Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553878533859 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehometownexplorer/ BISTRO BUDDY Listing - https://bistrobuddy.com/local-search/media-professionals/vloggers-food-drink/hartford%20county/connecticut/east%20hartford/the-hometown-explorer Follow Albany Distilling Co. on Social Media: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/albanydistilling Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/albanydistillingco BISTRO BUDDY Listing - https://bistrobuddy.com/local-search/bars-nightlife/brewery-or-distillery/new%20york/albany%20county/city%20of%20albany/the-albany-distilling-company