Black Button Distilling Celebrates 2 Millionth Bottle

ROCHESTER, NY (FEBRUARY 8, 2021) – Black Button Distilling, Rochester, NY’s first grain-to-glass distillery since prohibition will reach an important milestone on Tuesday, February 9th: the 2 millionth bottle of handcrafted spirits. Black Button Distilling’s Single Barrel Bourbon will be filled on a four-bottle manual filling machine at 11 a.m. by Black Button Distilling Master Distiller Jeff Fairbrother.

Black Button Distilling was founded on June 6, 2012. The first bottles rolled off the line December 20, 2013 with the first sales the following day. Black Button Distilling opened fully to the public on January 25, 2014, and celebrated the 1 millionth bottle in July 2019. The 2 million milestone is particularly noteworthy as it was reached at a rapid pace: only 19 months after hitting the 1 million bottle mark, and despite the challenges of COVID-19.

“I do not know what we would have done without all the local support. I literally sold my house and all my possessions that had any value to start this business. And even that wasn’t enough so we turned to a crowdfunding campaign that was largely supported by the Rochester community,” said Jason Barrett, President and Founder of Black Button Distilling. “Once we were in a position to give back, we did and haven’t stopped since.”

Once filled, the 2 millionth bottle will be auctioned off with proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association. To bid on the auction, click here.

“There have been a lot of changes over the last eight years, from the first bottles of Vodka being filled and labeled by hand, to bottling Bourbon, Bourbon Cream and all of our wonderful, flavorful Gins on an automatic bottling line that runs at 1,000 bottles an hour,” said Chief Financial Officer Anne Zimmer. “But what hasn’t changed is the passion for fine spirits and attention to quality that goes into every bottle of Black Button Distilling’s products.”

About Black Button Distilling
Founded by owner and head distiller Jason Barrett in 2012 at only 24 years old, Black Button Distilling is Rochester’s first grain-to-glass craft distillery to open since prohibition. As a New York State Farm Distillery, Black Button Distilling is deeply committed to crafting high-quality small batch spirits with New York State grown and produced ingredients. Over 90% of ingredients are grown or produced in New York State, as Black Button Distilling is dedicated to supporting New York State agriculture and the responsible stewardship of our natural environment. In 2018, Black Button proudly opened their own farm and forestry, where they grow juniper for gin, white oak to make our own bourbon barrels and fresh herbs and spices as well as organic honey for our cocktails. Beginning in 2020, Black Button expanded their national footprint by offering their award-winning spirits for purchase online.