Founded in 2008 by Derek Grout and his wife Ashley Hartka Grout, on a third-generation apple farm in Valatie, just 4 miles east of the Hudson River, Harvest Spirits has been among my favorite distilleries. Working with Peter Upstill, in this literal "tree to glass" distillery, apples are harvested, stored, pressed on an antique rack-and-cloth cider press, fermented and distilled on site. After two distillations applejack, whiskey and some brandies are aged in second-use oak bourbon barrels. All products are filtered and bottled by hand on site.
The original Cornelius Apple jack, like a cross between a fine apple brandy and a lovely young cognac. Absolutely tremendous.
Cornelius Applejack Distiller's Reserve 15 YO is am amazing apple brandy. Possibly the best in the United States. With notes of baked and fresh apple, biscuit, a hint of orange zest, and lots of caramel and toffee, this brandy is exquisite.
But now, Derek, Ashley and Peter are offering something unique this year. Bottled spirits with real fruit grown inside them!!! An old European marketing trick made uniquely American by Harvest Spirits. Apple bottles will be available for sale at the distillery Sunday, Nov 1 at 11 am. Carefully hung in the orchard in May and harvested in October, these special bottles have an individually grown apple inside and are filled with 15-year old Distiller's Reserve Applejack. Only 44 bottles survived the season and they'll be offered on a first-come basis at $275. Limit one per customer.