Finger Lakes Distilling sits on 1143 Elmira Road in Newfield, about 20 minutes south of Ithaca in the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes region. Founded in 2009 by Thomas McKenzie, a former Navy pilot turned distiller, this operation started as one of the first craft distilleries in the region and has grown into a full production facility specializing in grain-to-glass spirits. The distillery occupies a converted industrial building that McKenzie transformed into a working distillery complete with tasting room and event space. They produce whiskey, gin, vodka, and seasonal spirits using locally sourced grains when possible. McKenzie’s journey from military service to craft distilling wasn’t accidental. After leaving the Navy, he spent years researching distillation techniques and studying the craft before committing to opening his own operation. The learning curve was steep, especially navigating New York’s complex distilling regulations in the early days of the craft spirits boom. McKenzie serves as both owner and master distiller, overseeing production from grain selection through bottling. His approach focuses on traditional distillation methods combined with local ingredients, particularly emphasizing the terroir of the Finger Lakes region. The visitor experience centers around their tasting room where you can sample their full lineup while learning about their production process. The space feels more like a working distillery than a polished tourist attraction, which means you get an authentic look at small-batch production. Tours take you through their milling, fermentation, and distillation process, with McKenzie or his team explaining how they’ve adapted traditional techniques for their specific setup. The atmosphere is casual and educational rather than flashy.