The Backstory
After years of working hard at various jobs, living, learning, and dreaming, we have come up with a way to pursue our passion and give back to the community we have grown to love.
We originally purchased the building as a long-term records storage facility, but the great recession of 2009 and other factors prevented that plan’s fruition. Our new plan (formulated over the last several years) is to build an enduring business to support our family, sustain our facility, and bring commerce and jobs to our community.
In the last few years New York has become quite a hot spot when it comes to spirits production. What started as a few scattered, upstart distilleries has transformed into a full-fledged craft distiller movement in the Empire State. Distillery operations throughout New York match the quality of many of Kentucky’s historic distilleries. Oatka Distillers will be one such distillery. Contrary to popular belief, whiskey and bourbon are not required to be made in Kentucky. In fact, the spirit can be produced anywhere in the United States if the mash to be distilled is at least 51% corn and the spirit is aged in new charred oak barrels.
OUR MISSION
To make high-quality, small-batch artisan spirits using traditional techniques with locally grown grains and fruits that capture the essence of our part of the world – with the highest level of craftsmanship, quality, and integrity.
Why a Distillery?
Oatka Distiller’s mission is to make high-quality, small-batch artisan spirits using traditional techniques with locally grown grains and fruits that capture the essence of our part of the world – with the highest level of craftsmanship, quality, and integrity.
Part of our allure will be to provide tastings and tours in this building where we will help our guests understand our village’s historical significance to the region and the world. The building provides a backstory to which virtually everyone will be able to positively relate, and its history provides a foundation upon which Oatka Distillers can build.
The idea is to create an enduring business that can support the ongoing restoration and maintenance of this local landmark while adding another attraction that makes LeRoy, New York, a destination people want to visit.
Why Oatka Distillers?
The name “Oatka Distillers” (pronounced “Oh-AT-ka”) celebrates the local creek that defines our village and a large portion of the region in which we will be operating. The creek, its water, and the limestone in our area make water that is perfect for whiskey production.
Most similar businesses feature the word “distillery” in their names. We purposely have chosen the word “Distillers” because it reflects our focus on the people behind our product.
