High Peaks Distilling sits right in downtown Lake George on Canada Street, making it one of the most accessible craft distilleries in the Adirondacks. Founded by Tom and Lisa Ciszewski in 2015, this husband-and-wife operation transformed a former retail space into a working distillery and tasting room. Tom brought his background in business operations while Lisa handles the hospitality side, creating a genuinely welcoming spot where visitors can watch spirits being made just feet from where they’re sampling them. They focus on small-batch vodka, gin, and seasonal spirits using New York State grains and botanicals. The Ciszewskis didn’t start this as lifelong distillers—they were drawn to the craft spirits movement and saw an opportunity to bring something unique to the Lake George area. Their 200-gallon copper still operates in full view of the tasting room, so you can literally watch your drink being made during production days. The space maintains that authentic working distillery feel without being overly polished—concrete floors, exposed pipes, and the constant aroma of fermenting grains. They’ve built relationships with local farms for ingredients and often experiment with seasonal botanicals foraged from the Adirondack region. What you’ll find here is a no-nonsense approach to craft spirits with genuine passion behind it. The tasting room feels more like hanging out in a friend’s workshop than a formal establishment, which works perfectly for the Lake George vibe. Tom and Lisa are usually around to chat about their process, and they’re happy to explain everything from grain selection to distillation techniques. It’s the kind of place where you might arrive for a quick tasting and end up staying for an hour talking shop.