Manhattan's First Whiskey Distillery Since Prohibition Is Closing After Five Years

Manhattan's first whiskey distillery since Prohibition is shutting down its public-facing visitor center after five years of operation. Great Jones Distilling Co., which opened its flagship New York City location in August 2021, announced last week that the center would close "until further notice."

The decision comes amid a broader decline in U.S. spirits sales. "Great Jones Distilling Co. has decided to close the Great Jones Distilling Co. Visitor Center until further notice," a company spokesperson stated. "The decision followed a thorough review of the current beverage industry trends, market conditions, and overall company business strategy." The spokesperson added that Great Jones Whiskey and Black Dirt Distillery products will remain available for purchase online and at select retailers.

The 28,000-square-foot Manhattan site featured a restaurant, speakeasy, event space, retail shop, and tasting room, alongside a working distillery. Great Jones Distilling Co. made history upon its 2021 opening as the first legal whiskey distillery in Manhattan in over a century, emphasizing locally sourced ingredients from New York grains.

Great Jones Distilling Co. is owned by Proximo Spirits, a New Jersey-based company that also manages brands like Jose Cuervo and Bushmills Irish Whiskey. The company has not disclosed whether whiskey production will continue at the Manhattan facility or if it plans to retain the property. The U.S. spirits industry has faced headwinds with declining sales figures in recent years.