At Allentown’s Kilimanjaro Distillery, the family-run team behind Xplorer Spirits makes small-batch spirits led by its signature Peanut Butter Whiskey. Founder and master craftsman Kishor Chokshi brings a background in medicine and business to a distilling approach that blends science with hands-on craft, drawing peanut notes from American, Indian and African varieties. Xplorer’s distinctive peanut-shaped bottle is patented, giving the brand’s most recognizable pour a design as unusual as its flavor.
The Albany Distilling CompanyFounded in 2011 as Albany’s first distillery since Prohibition, The Albany Distilling Company makes small-batch spirits in downtown Albany using both traditional and modern methods. Its portfolio includes Ironweed whiskey made with New York State grains, along with other house brands and contract-distilling work for emerging spirit companies. The company also operates a house bar where its products can be enjoyed.ALBANY, NY
Nomad Distilling CoFamily-owned and operated since 2018, Nomad Distilling Co. makes locally produced spirits in the mountains just west of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Founders Frank and Sarah Kudlack took over the former Mountain Top Distillery and have grown it into both a distillery and gathering place, with tasting rooms in Williamsport, Jim Thorpe, and New Hope. Nomad’s spirits are served at more than 200 bars and restaurants, with distribution through 50-plus partners and shipping to over 40 states.WILLIAMSPORT, PA
Grazin’ Spirits, LLCGrazin’ Spirits, LLC is a small, local, Veteran-owned farm-to-bottle distillery founded in 2017 in Columbia County, New York. It produces peach-flavored whiskey, corn whiskey, and bourbon using sourced and farmed ingredients, with in-house production, distillation, barreling, hand bottling, and labeling.GHENT, NY
Silverback DistilleryChristine “Hooch Mama” Riggleman and her husband, Denver, founded Silverback Distillery in 2014 after a visit to Scotland sparked Christine’s interest in distilling. Today, Christine serves as the company’s owner and master distiller, with more than 48 international spirits awards and recognition as the first woman distiller to release bourbon under her own name. Silverback operates tasting rooms in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and Pennsylvania’s Poconos, where visitors can learn about its craft spirits in a relaxed setting.EAST STROUDSBURG, PA