Jayne Street Distilling Co. sits on a quiet residential street in Florida, New York, a small town in Orange County about an hour north of Manhattan. Founded by husband-and-wife team Chris and Jill Delaney in 2018, this craft distillery operates out of a converted warehouse space that they’ve transformed into a working production facility and tasting room. Chris, a former telecommunications engineer, caught the distilling bug after years of home brewing and decided to pivot careers entirely, while Jill handles the business side after her background in marketing. They’re focused on small-batch American whiskeys, particularly bourbon and rye, using locally sourced grains when possible.
The journey from concept to opening took the Delaneys nearly three years, navigating local zoning challenges and state licensing requirements while learning the intricacies of commercial distillation. Chris installed much of the equipment himself, including their 500-gallon copper pot still that anchors the production floor. They’re intentionally keeping things small-scale, producing around 1,000 cases annually, which allows them to experiment with different mash bills and aging techniques. The operation is truly hands-on—you’ll often find Chris running the still while Jill manages tastings, embodying the bootstrap spirit of craft distilling.
Visitors get an intimate look at a working micro-distillery where every bottle represents direct involvement from the owners. The space feels more like stepping into someone’s passionate hobby that got serious rather than a slick commercial operation. You can actually see the entire production process from grain to bottle, and the Delaneys are usually around to explain their methods and share stories about their distilling adventures. It’s the kind of place where you leave understanding not just what they make, but why they chose this particular path.