Today, in a 19th century Georgian mansion situated in the heart of the Hudson Valley, Master Distiller Dave Pickerell pays homage to the New York farmers who produced their whiskey from grains to glass. Pickerell, who graduated from West Point with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, served in the military for 11 years as a cavalry officer before receiving his Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Louisville. Then, Pickerell served as Master Distiller at Maker's Mark in Loretto, Kentucky for 13 years. There, he was responsible for ensuring the quality and consistency of Maker's Mark Bourbon. A former chairman of the Kentucky Distillers Association and a member of the Distilled Spirits Council, Pickerell is an expert nonpareil in the production of whiskey. Hillrock Estate Single Malt Whiskey is one of the first single malt whiskies produced in New York since Prohibition. It is made using barley that is grown exclusively on the rolling fields of the Hillrock Estate. After the barley is harvested, it is malted at the Hillrock Malthouse ? one of the first malthouses built by a distillery since Prohibition. By growing and malting his own barley, Pickerell is able to control and fine-tune the production process of the single malt whiskey. TASTING NOTES Dark amber hue. Rich notes of vanilla and malt on the nose. Slightly sweet hints of honey, caramel and butterscotch appear and are complemented by chewy notes of cinnamon, oak and woody spices. Finish is everlasting and slightly spicy.