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With the growth of single barrel and select barrel programs across the bourbon world, there has been a loss of appreciation for the importance of artful blending. At Black Button Distilling, we celebrate the craft that goes into blending great bourbon. With our unique process, we found an opportunity to invite enthusiasts like you to join the distilling team and blend your favorite expression of a Black Button Bourbon, through our Bespoke Bourbon Blending Program.
Mash Bill: 60% Corn | 20% Wheat 11% Malted Barley | 9% Rye
Proof: Will range between 90-94 proof on average
Age: 3+ Years for all barrels in the blend
Each aging barrel of our Four Grain Bourbon will have its own unique characteristics. A set of barrels that were distilled and filled at the same time, even if they have sat right next to each other in the warehouse, will age differently. That is why the skilled palates of our distilling team taste every barrel and decide if it is ready, and where it will end up. A barrel that is perfectly aged and ready to be blended will be categorized into one of four groups:
By categorizing each barrel by flavor profile and then combining consistent amounts of each batch to batch, we can consistently offer the best blend of our flagship Four Grain Bourbon. This also allows us to blend unique amounts of each tank, creating a Bespoke Bourbon to fit your palate.
You will work directly with our blend program manager and master distiller to craft your Bespoke Blend. Our team will gain an understanding of your palate and have you taste each characteristic tank on its own. From there, the fun and the science begin! You will taste a few different blends until your perfect Bespoke Bourbon is found. After that, our in house design team will craft a custom hangtag for you, and in just 8 short weeks your blend will be ready!
If you are unable to make it to the distillery, we are happy to make your blend virtually as well. Our blend program manager will be able to send you our palate survey, and craft samples based on your preferences. Then over a virtual call, we will taste together and decide the right blend for you!
If you are ready to craft your Bespoke Blend, please reach out to our Program Manager, Alex Hunnell at custombourbon@blackbuttondistilling.com
In 2012, Jason founded Black Button Distilling. Black Button is Rochester’s first grain-to-glass distillery since prohibition. In the last few years, Jason has taken Black Button from a start-up distillery to a globally recognized force in the industry.
In 2021, Jason was recognized in Fast Company’s 5th Annual World Changing Ideas for his hand sanitizer work. Inc. Magazine listed BBD as one of New York’s Fastest Growing companies. The Wine Spirits and Education Trust has recognized Jason for being a key global influencer in the beverage industry, and in 2017, Jason was the fourth American to be inducted in the prestigious Gin Guild.
Master Distiller Jeff Fairbrother started his career in the craft beverage industry in 2013 at Abandon Brewing Company located in the Finger Lakes. After a few years of brewing beer, Jeff decided to try his hand at crafting spirits and joined the Black Button Distilling team in 2015.
Jeff has spent his time at Black Button mastering the craft. In 2017, he was recognized as Warden Rectifier in the prestigious London-based international gin industry member body, the Gin Guild. He is one of only five current members of the Gin Guild in the United States. In 2019, Jeff officially became a Master Distiller and has run Black Button’s daily production ever since.
A Rochester native, Patrick Carroll received his two-year Viticulture degree from Finger Lakes Community College and subsequently followed the wine harvest around the world to places including Oregon and Australia. When he returned to Rochester in the summer of 2017, he applied his knowledge and skills to the craft of distilling at Black Button.
Starting at the bottom and working his way up, Patrick learned every aspect of of production, from bottling and labeling to equipment maintenance. After about a year, Patrick attended a distilling workshop at Cornell University, where he learned the technical theories behind how the stills work and was subsequently promoted to Assistant Distiller. In this role, he began to manage the barrel warehouses and oversee all mashing, fermentation and primary distillation for Black Button Distilling’s range of spirits.
Chris Wingate, a self-proclaimed spirits geek, developed his passion for spirits from years of bartending and managing bars and restaurants, most recently in Denver.
Having fallen in love with the agricultural richness and diversity of the Finger Lakes Region, Chris is now a proud advocate of “Grain to Glass” production at Black Button Distilling. As an educator and storyteller, he loves leading classes and tasting events to share his enthusiasm for spirits.
“Every spirit has a story to tell, from their production and the people who pour their heart and soul into their creation to what you actually smell and taste. The best spirits take you somewhere and sharing that experience is one of the most enriching parts of life.”
Chris regularly hosts cocktail classes at New York Kitchen, a strong supporter of New York-made products. Working closely with the Black Button production team, Chris also manages the Bespoke Blending, Single Barrel, and Used Barrel programs at Black Button Distilling, helping clients realize their unique projects. Reach out to him at custombourbon@blackbuttondistilling.com to turn your spirits dreams into reality.
We promise to deliver only the best buzz.
1344 University Avenue, Rochester, New York 14607 – New Window
Open: Thursday 4pm-10pm • Friday 4pm-10pm • Saturday 11am-10pm • Sunday 11am-5pm
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Join us in celebrating all things Rye with a special screening of Fire, Water & Grain: The Story of Empire Rye while sipping on a Rye Old Fashioned and nibbling on Rye Ravioli!
Black Button Distilling and Fee Brothers Bitters proudly present our first ever collaboration: Citrus Forward Gin Barrel-Aged Citrus Bitters.