It must have been fate when Brian McKenzie and Earl McKenzie met, purely by coincidence, at a craft distillers conference. With the same last name, the same passion for craft spirits, and the same dream of opening a distillery, it is no wonder that these two men succeeded in creating a company as impressive as Finger Lakes Distilling, Ryan & Ryan Insurance Brokers’ Client of the Month for January. Finger Lakes Distilling is located on the east shore of Seneca Lake in upstate New York. Using locally sourced raw materials, a commitment to traditional methods and two copper stills, Finger Lakes Distilling produces some seriously good spirits. Their products include rich, aged, sipping whiskeys, smooth vodka, unique gins, a range of exceptional liqueurs, and more.
Brian McKenzie, a former Vice President of an upstate New York bank, met Bob Ryan, a classmate, at the National School of Banking in 2000. They hit it off right away and have stayed in touch throughout the years. Brian credits Bob as a ‘great mentor’ and his ‘go-to-guy’ for insurance. Brian left the banking industry in 2007, but when it came time to secure insurance for their distillery business, he knew who to call. Brian states that “Ryan & Ryan has helped us out with our P&C, Liability, WC, and all necessary bonding for the business.” It’s a relationship that Brian McKenzie values greatly and he is confident that Finger Lakes Distilling is in good hands when it comes to anything regarding insurance. Brian says that he has also built a great relationship with Jeanne Beck, as she is very responsive whenever something comes up and is always fun to work with.
If you are ever in the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country, stop into Finger Lakes Distilling. They are open from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily and visitors over 21 can legally try up to three samples from their full product line for a $3 fee. From the tasting room you can see most of the the production area, patiently aging barrels of whiskey, and both of their copper stills. Their staff members are always happy to talk to you about the distillery, products, and processes as well as anything else you may be curious about. The distillery store is located in the tasting room and offers a full line of spirits, as well as branded Finger Lakes Distilling merchandise, local artisan food products, and a variety of cocktail-related items. Be sure to also visit their website at http://fingerlakesdistilling.com for more information about Finger Lakes Distilling.
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