New Distiller Based in Astoria is Making Queens Courage Gin

We got pretty excited when we saw the news on DNAinfo about a new distiller setting up shop in Astoria, aptly called Astoria Distilling Company. Their first spirit, to be launched this summer, will be a gin in an “Old Tom” style called “Queens Courage.” We like the sound of it:

Murillo said “Queens Courage” will be an “Old Tom” style gin, a type that was popular during the 1800s. It will be sweetened slightly using locally sourced honey, and can be used to craft classic cocktails or even to drink on its own. “It works really, really well in cocktails,” he said. “[It’s also] really smooth and refined enough that you can drink it neat, which is an added bonus.”

Perhaps we’ll see a cocktail made of Queens Courage and local Haber’s Tonic one of these days? That would be awesome. They do want to have their products in local restaurants and bars.

The gin will actually be crafted outside the city at a NY State partner, but Chris Murillo, founder of this venture, definitely wants to establish a distillery here in Queens. Other good news: Astoria Distilling Company was selected as a finalist in the Queens Economic Development Corporation’s StartUP! Business Plan Competition and they’ll learn if they are a winner later this spring.

Eventually they hope to craft other spirits, including an Ouzo, a nod to their Astoria neighborhood. He also wants to make spirits that represent other cultures in the borough. Sounds good to us!

The Spirit of Queens Inspires Astoria Distilling Company [DNAinfo]