New Scotland Spirits is co-owned by founders Jesse Sommer and Rosamaria Luppino. Luppino and Sommer, a U.S. Army veteran and attorney, founded the Upstate New York-based, veteran-owned independent distillery in 2016. New Scotland Spirits distills spirits from grains grown throughout Upstate New York, and particularly from the Capital District. Working in tandem with family farms, partner distilleries, and local barrel coopers, they make some excellent distilled spirits.
Jesse S. Sommer is a former U.S. Army paratrooper and officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He was twice awarded the bronze star for combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He was discharged honorably in 2022. Jesse currently practices law as a public defender.
Rosamaria Luppino is the company’s Executive Officer after working in the legal profession as a paralegal for more than 15 years, Rosamaria works full-time as Albany County’s Economic Development Coordinator, and routinely orchestrates team trainings, and is the distillery is increasingly the face of New Scotland Spirits.
The original head distiller, Tyler LaCorata, who now owns New World Distilling, created the original recipes, before moving on. The legacy whiskies, such a the wheat and rye remain impressive. John Curtin, co-founder of Albany Distilling Co., oversees production with their partner distillery.
New Scotland 68W Whiskey is an unaged corn whiskey with notes of popcorn, butter, a light touch of sweetness, and a smooth finish. Flavorful enough to drink on the rocks, but perfect for an Old Fashioned, blended with Sweet Tea, a Lemondrop Martini, a White Mint Julep, or a Moonshine Mojito. According to New Scotland, this whiskey is "dedicated to our fellow Soldiers, a portion of the profits from all sales of 68 Whiskey go to support the clinical treatment of alcoholism, drug addiction, and mental health issues in America’s veteran community... in honor of both service and sacrifice."
New Scotland Helderberg Bourbon is crafted from LaGrange Farm’s “bloody butcher” dent corn—an old-style heirloom grain that’s dates back to the 1840s. The idea is that you are sipping history. The whiskey is barreled for five long years in American oak. Notes of baked apple, sweet hot corn, butter, vanilla, toffee, Christmas spices and black pepper. The slight sweetness linger for a time with vanilla and caramel. Lovely.
New Scotland Helderberg Winter Wheat Whiskey is made for a northeastern winter wheat, and is aged six year old American oak. This whiskey delivers notes of toffee, pear, figs, vanilla, shortbread, and honey. Slight notes of white pepper on the end along with toffee. a lovely, smooth wheat whiskey, with lots of bold flavor and lovely smoothness.
New Scotland Helderberg Straight Rye Whiskey is a spirit made from rye that comes from the base of the ancient Helderberg Escarpment. This is a 75% rye whiskey, with malted barley and corn. This is a true New York "Empire Rye." This is a terrific whiskey, with notes of fresh apple, pine needles, caramel, honey, cocoa, that finishes with Christmas spice, highlighted by gingersnaps, vanilla, and toffee. A nice bite at the end, but not brutal. It kind of wakes up your mouth wherein the vanilla and toffee linger. Unquestionably their best brown spirit. A serious rye drinker's whiskey. Perfect neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails like a Manhattan, Boulevardier, or Sazerac.
New Scotland Distilling is producing some excellent grain spirits. A must try!