New York’s Black Button Distilling will celebrate a decade of crafting small-batch spirits with a “Cheers to 10 Years Anniversary Party” on Thursday, June 2nd.
The event will happen at the Black Button Distilling Tasting Room in Rochester, New York. It was 10 years ago when Black Button was founded by Master Distiller Jason Barrett, at just 24 years of age, in Rochester.
As part of the 10-year celebration, Black Button will release their oldest whiskey to date, a small batch blend of six-year-old whiskey. Limited to just 243 decanter bottles, the first 100 will be in a wooden frame, commemorating 10 years of making whiskey and 100 years of Barrett’s family’s involvement in the button business in Rochester.
Black Button Distilling (image via Black Button Distilling)
As a New York State Farm Distillery, more than 90 percent of the ingredients are grown or produced in New York State, and Black Button Distilling continues to support what it describes as New York State agriculture and the responsible stewardship of the environment.
And to further their commitment to local farming, Black Button Distilling has slated a fundraiser at the anniversary party for “Homesteads for Hope,” a non-profit inclusive community farm for individuals with and without disabilities to learn, work, live, and grow in nature’s classroom … a 55-acre farm in Rochester on the Erie Canal.
A statement from the distiller explained that Black Button’s story is that of Rochester area family businesses that span generations.
Barrett’s grandfather owned a button factory in Rochester, and as a child, Jason said he imagined himself running the factory one day. But, he is colorblind. Since making only black buttons wasn’t an option, he decided to honor the values of hard work, entrepreneurship, and community his grandfather taught him by turning to his passion for crafting handmade spirits.
Founded on June 6, 2012, the first bottles of Black Button Distilling spirits rolled off the line Dec. 20, 2013 with the first sales the following day. Seven years later and with a full line of spirits distributed in 13 states and Japan, Black Button Distilling celebrated the one millionth bottle in July of 2019.
As one of the six founding distilleries of Empire Rye, Black Button Distilling is described as being part of a push to bring New York State’s unique rye whiskey tradition to the forefront. This group is committed to the Empire Rye designation and seal of authenticity, which requires the use of local grains and other standards.
For more information on Black Button or to get tickets for the anniversary event, check out https://rochester.blackbuttondistilling.com/shop/10-year-anniversary-event-tickets.
