Media Coverage

There is always something happening at Taconic Distillery. Whether it be R&D on a new offering and a cocktail tasting party, or playing with the dogs as we wait for the whiskey to age to perfection. You can stay up-to-date with what’s happening here by checking our Events or liking our Instagram and Facebook pages.

As we celebrate our 10th Anniversary in business, check out our story as mentioned in Main Street Magazine.

And if you're wondering how the whole bourbon-to-bottle thing works, take a look:

 

For decades, beverage makers like Taconic Distillery in Dutchess County, have taken a locally-focused, earth-to-bottle approach to their craft. Award-winning wines, beers, and spirits are a testament to our success. We're proud to be a part of this group of artisans.


Aug 1, 2024

What’s Next? A Retirement Podcast: “Paul Coughlin left Wall Street to hang out on Main Street in his retirement, and ended up building Taconic Distillery into the largest bourbon maker in New York. Sounds like a lotta work for a ‘retired’ guy, but who’s counting when you’re drinking great bourbon in the beautiful Hudson Valley?!”

Listen here.

April 16, 2024

Poughkeepsie Journal: This Dutchess County distillery is celebrating 10 years in business - Nickie Hayes

“My number one goal is to make New York bourbon relevant”. - Paul Coughlin

Click here for an inside look on production for our 10th anniversary bottling and read all about us here.


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Apr 5, 2020

DRINKHACKER review: Founder’s Straight Rye Whiskey rates A-

“…it’s a wholly credible rye on its own, one that doesn’t really feel like a craft spirit, and I mean that in a good way.”

Read the review. Download the PDF.


Oct 28, 2018

My Bourbon Journey review: Taconic Distillery Dutchess Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review finished in Cognac Casks


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Jul 16, 2018

Taconic Distillery: A True New York Spirit excerpt:

Whiskey, of course, is an agricultural product, albeit one that’s lost some connection with its country roots. But Taconic Distillery in Stanfordville, New York, is one of a new wave of craft distilleries dedicated to reviving whiskey’s early link with life on the farm.

Read the blog. Download the PDF.


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Jan 1, 2018

Taconic Distillery featured in Chronogram's Getting to Know Northeast Dutchess County: Rural Refinement in Milerton, Amenia, Millbrook, by Anya Jaremcko-Greenwold

Read the article.


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December, 2017

 

Taconic's owners Carol Ann and Paul Coughlin are featured in Greenwich Girl Magazine

Read the full article.


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September, 2017

Taconic Distillery gets its first mention in The New Yorker in a splendid review of Cardiff Giant.

"Everything on the menu, including the snacks, is made in the Empire State, which means you can sit in the quiet back garden while nursing Taconic Distillery’s small-batch Founder’s Rye, from the Hudson Valley..."

Read Lauretta Charlton's full review.


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August, 2017

The Whiskey Reviewer gives A+ rating to Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup.

Read "Taconic Distillery's Bourbon Barrel Breakfast Treats" by Randall H. Borkus. 


July, 2017

Main Street Magazine pays a visit to Taconic Distillery.

Read "Spirits to raise your Spirits." by Dominique DeVito

 


Taconic Distillery Founder's Rye Whiskey awarded a 90.5 from Jim Murray's Whisky Bible.

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible is the world’s leading whisky guide. Each edition contains over 4,600 detailed, professionally analysed and easy to understand tasting notes on the world’s leading and lesser known whiskies.


February, 2017 - Taconic Distillery's Founder, Paul Coughlin, featured in Taste the Dram blog.

EXCERPT:

Tell us about what whiskey you currently produce. Do you source the ingredients locally, if so, how important is it?

PC: All of our whiskies are produced from local New York grains. It is a feature that is important to us as New Yorkers and important to the local region where we operate.

Download the interview's pdf.


February, 2017 - Margarett Waterbury of The Whiskey Wash reviews TD's Double Barrel Bourbon Maple Whiskey

WHISKEY REVIEW ROUND-UP: MAPLE-FINISHED WHISKEYS

Some bourbons and ryes have qualities that naturally suggest maple syrup—warm baking spices, apple, etc.—but this base spirit seems to move in a different, more herbaceous direction.

View the article. Download the pdf.


December, 2016 - Taconic Distillery makes Rural Intelligence's ANNUAL HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE.

This Stanfordville, NY distillery and tasting room was only officially completed in August of this year, but its Dutchess Private Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey already has earned accolades from Hudson Valley Magazine and Maxim.

View the gift guide. Download the pdf.


October, 2016 - The WHISKEY REVIEWER grades Cask Strength Rye Whiskey

"...easy to drink when sipped neat as it immediately put a smile on my face. I thought to myself, 'this is going to be fun.'"

Read the full review.

 


July, 2016 – ENTREPRENEUR highlights the benefits of making booze

“Paul Coughlin had a long successful career on Wall Street and ran a private equity business, but after more than 30 years in the game, he was thirsty for something else. Literally.”

Read the full article. Download the PDF.


April, 2016 – THE NEW YORK TIMES covers Creating Intoxicating Brews

"Many companies have done barrel-aged coffees, Mr. Love said, using white-oak, wine and old beer barrels. “It’s all come out kind of eh,” he said, “so we took everything we knew about barreling and aging coffee, put it to the right side — and we went left and did everything else.”

What they did was put green, unroasted beans in a barrel that had been used for rye and then rum at Taconic Distillery, aged them for three months, roasted them “and boom, Drunken Dog was there."

Read the full article. Download the PDF.

 

January, 2016 – THE WHISKEY REVIEWER describes our Double Barrel Bourbon Maple Whiskey as a

“…delightful bourbon that is perfect for sipping in front of a fire.”

Read the full review. Download the PDF.

 

April, 2015 – The adoption of a new name. Millbrook Distillery, voted Best New Bourbon in 2014 by Hudson Valley Magazine, Best Bourbon by Maxim Magazine (May 2014), and winner of recent CBS Radio bourbon taste test, becomes TACONIC DISTILLERY.

The new name reflects the distillery's location in the historic Hudson Valley, home to bountiful farms, beautiful scenery, and National Historic Landmarks. The logo continues to feature our beloved Copper, the American foxhound.

 

January, 2015 – THE WHISKEY REVIEWER

“…it’s the rye’s mild sweetness, like summer fruit just before full ripeness, that glides it along.”

Read the full review. Download PDF.

 

September, 2014 – Millbrook Distillery shows at the Sandanona Game Fair

May, 2014 – THE MILLBROOK INDEPENDENT interviews founder Paul Coughlin.

I am an avid sportsman. I love the outdoors. I started coming up to shoots at Tamarack and Orvis in 2004 or 2005.Read the full interview.

 

May, 2014 – MAXIM gives Millbrook Distillery the blue medal in its May DRINKS section. According to their taster, it’s like “being kissed by a sunny field. Tongues and everything.”

 

April, 2014 – THE WHISKEY REVIEWER rates Millbrook’s Barrel Strength Whiskey. Read the full review. Download PDF.

 

March, 2014 – HELLO HUDSON VALLEY! By Carlo De Vito, author of Wineries of the East Coast.

“Dutchess Private Reserve has a lovely coppery color to it, or maybe like a gorgeous amber maple syrup. It starts off with a wonderful baked quality like cookies in the oven, butter, butterscotch, cookie dough, honey, vanilla, and lots of spice. It got a little bit of a bite up front, but goes down incredibly smoothly without a lot of burn. And it’s definitely not as sweet as it smells. In fact, it’s a beautiful, elegant, wonderful bourbon. Fantastic! Move over everyone, the valley now has yet another superior bourbon!

Read the full review.

 
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March, 2014 - Awarded Best of Hudson Valley by Hudson Valley Magazine.

 

February, 2014 – THE WHISKEY REVIEWER gives Millbrook Distillery high marks.

“Dutchess Private Reserve offers a rather sweet nose, with corn and cereal grain, as well as vanilla. On the palate, you’ll find a bourbon made for sipping, eminently enjoyable and easygoing. Very smooth, with more vanilla, honey, and a malty sweetness.

The finish is pleasant and warm, lingering without overstaying its welcome. The bourbon is very consistent throughout. Add ice and the bourbon becomes chewier, with more pronounced grain flavors and a shorter, sharper finish.

Dutchess Private Reserve is bottled at 90 proof (45% abv), definitely a bourbon worth trying if you can get your hands on it, and particularly as the first release of an outfit which has just opened its doors, it hits high marks.”

Read the full review.

 

January, 2014 – THE MILLBROOK INDEPENDENT features Millbrook Distillery's Bourbon debut. Read it.

 

December, 2013 – MAXIM Vices reviews Millbrook Distillery. Read it.

“Seriously, this sauce is glorious straight sipping.”

– Maxim

 

October 21, 2013 – Millbrook Distillery bottles its first batch of Dutchess Private Reserve Bourbon.

FOR THE PRESS

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