Cooperstown Distillery — Local services in Town of Otsego

This is the review I am also posting on Trip Advisor and anywhere else I can

We went to the distillery last Friday. We looked it up first as we were doing the beverage trail and could have gone east or west from Fly Creek. Their website said they opened at 11 am. Upon arrival, we noticed that the sliding door had a realtor's box lock on it and the place was closed. The sign in the window said it opened at 11, It was now about 12:15.

Address: 11 Railroad Ave, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Hours: Tuesday 11AM–5PM Wednesday 11AM–5PM Thursday 11AM–5PM Friday 11AM–5PM Saturday 11AM–5PM Sunday 12–5PM Monday 11AM–5PM

(Here is a screen capture from their website)

At any rate, we left and went to our next stop. We asked the waitress if she knew why they had closed- the realtor's box made us believe they were selling the building. She said she thought they moved so we called them. They told us they were open in the same location so after lunch we went back. We entered and went to the counter. The young girl working there saw us and then continued to kneel and straighten some bottles in a cabinet below the counter level. Eventually she turned back to us and asked if we were there for a tasting. I also said we were there earlier and that they were closed and she said they were open. We didn't argue with her at all.When we said we were she asked a gentleman that had just entered as we were answering hr if he wanted a tasting too. He said no he was there to make a purchase. The worker then told us to wait while she took care of him- I have no idea how long it would have made the other man wait while she poured us each a sample but she made us wait. Naturally, she couldn't find what he was after and we waited. I wanted to leave but we needed the stamp for the beverage trail glasses. Finally she finished with him and asked if it was all of us trying and also asked the 2 new people that had just arrived if they wanted to taste also. Of course they said they were there to make a purchase and she once again said we had to wait until she took care of them. At this point we had had enough and we left. We have made purchases there before and even though this time we only wanted 2 bottles of the Spitball and 1 bottle of rum- they lost that sale and any future sales. Really, really bad customer service will not be rewarded if I...

I wish I could write a good review because I do like this place and the staff BUT I have been consistently blown off by the owner year after year since they opened. I lead a beverage trail trips every year from Albany to Cooperstown, and when this Distillery joined I was ecstatic! But EVERYTIME besides the first visit on the first year they opened, I have been let down. My groups run 25-30 people and we request to visit the Distillery, I've talked to the owner and he has assured me that we will be able to visit the Distillery. But year after year, we get there and its closed, and the staff have no idea who our group is and tell us that we are not on the calendar. Thankfully I have saved some of these trips by visiting there downtown store in a last minute effort when I did not get a response from my phone calls but they weren't prepared for us and never knew we were coming. I have gotten calls from the owner, while he was in Florida apparently, saying someone will be there soon to open up the Distillery for us. 30-45 minutes later, someone comes and gives us a tour. That's nice and all but that puts the bus trip behind schedule on a full day. I then have to call the rest of our appointments on the beverage trail and ask if they can push us back, and every year those owners already know who makes us late. When I have talked to the owner over the phone about this year after year, he has NEVER apologized, but rather stays on the phone in awkward silence. - Just to reiterate, The staff has always been great and we like the style and spirits they provide and we spend a great deal there on every visit, but this will no longer be a stop on trips I lead, because...

Visited one gray gloomy day just as they opened. The 4 of us were greeted by a pleasant guy named Kenneth in the tasting bar and shop. He was knowledgeable, passionate and explained the different distillation methods and local products used to produce the different beverages. We tasted several of the beverages and spent a great time with Kenneth. The spirits are tasty and well produced. We all purchased several bottles to take home to New Jersey. We were happy to find out that there is some distribution in our area and mail order is also possible. The only problem is limited batches of special products are only available at the Distillery. The one Kenneth explained that comes out at Christmas seemed to be one we would want, but fits in that category. So, go visit Cooperstown Distillery and hope you get to meet Kenneth! We will be back maybe...