BARRELHOUSE 6 DISTILLERY — Local services in Town of Pulteney

For reference for the owners, you would know me by "Joshua Johnson"

I worked at Barrelhouse 6 during the summer of 2021, and to this day, I make a point of stopping by whenever I'm in the area. The view of the lake is fantastic, and the deck is always well-kept and clean, an ideal place to relax. Inside, the bar has a great atmosphere. It blends a warm, log cabin aesthetic with clean, modern-industrial touches that make it feel both cozy and contemporary.

Over the years, I’ve had the chance to try several of their offerings: the first batch of Sister’s 1924 Gin, multiple batches of Brother’s 1910 Bourbon and Rye, and their Peppermint Bourbon Crème. Of those, the gin stands out as my personal favorite,not because it’s the main product of the distillery, but because it fits my palate better than bourbon. From what I recall, it leans more on the dry side compared to other gins, but it also carries a faint, almost sweet-cracker-like note that makes it really unique. It avoids the overly spicy or botanical extremes and lands somewhere pleasantly in the middle. If I still lived in New York, I’d absolutely keep a bottle at home. It works especially well in strawberry-based cocktails, my personal favorites.

The Peppermint Bourbon Crème is, without question, the best crème-style liqueur I’ve had. It avoids that artificial, synthetic-dairy flavor you get with a lot of mainstream brands, Bailey’s comes to mind as a comparison point. The crème from BH6 tastes clean and well-balanced. The dairy and alcohol complement each other rather than compete, and the peppermint doesn’t overpower the other flavors. The ingredients feel high quality, and it’s one of those rare bottles where the value far exceeds the price point. You usually don’t get close to this level of quality until you start spending big on ultra-premium offerings.

Now, the bourbon. This is the star of the distillery, and it absolutely earns that reputation. Barrelhouse 6 falls into the category of a younger distillery, so their bourbons naturally don’t have the 8–12+ years of barrel aging you’d get from legacy brands. That said, they’ve sidestepped many of the typical issues you find in young bourbons. There’s no aggressive harshness, no sign of rapid-aging gimmicks. Instead, it’s clear the product has been carefully developed. It tastes clean, intentional, and far more refined than you'd expect given the age of the spirit. Kara, the distiller, knows what she’s doing, plain and simple. In terms of flavor, structure, and smoothness, it punches far above its weight.

Some folks have raised eyebrows at the price around $70 for a bottle. And I get that... For a newer brand, it might feel like a risk. But in this case, the price is entirely justified. This is premium bourbon, and it earns that label. I’ve had bottles double the price that didn’t come close to matching its balance or character.

If I were to toss out an idea, one that Kara could feel entirely free to ignore, I’d be curious to see Barrelhouse 6 consider adding a brandy to the lineup at some point. There’s potential for collaboration with local wineries around Keuka Lake, and I think there’s room in the regional market for a well-crafted, locally sourced brandy. That said, I also understand the strength of keeping the focus on refining the current offerings. It's just something I personally would love to see, as someone who's developed a deeper appreciation for brandies and wines over the years.

Looking back on my time working there, I can say the team was fantastic. The environment was straightforward and respectful, expectations were clear, and you were trusted to get the job done. I never felt like I was just going through the motions or doing meaningless tasks. Everything felt purposeful. If I ever had the opportunity to work with them again, I’d take it in a heartbeat.

Whether you're a fan of bourbon, gin, crème liqueurs, or just enjoy a drink with a view, I’d recommend BH6 without hesitation. There’s something here for everyone, and the people behind it all care deeply about what...

We were on a weekend girls’ trip to Keuka Lake and were looking for a place open later than 5pm on a Saturday. We Googled and found they were open until 7pm so we headed over. Once we walked in we knew we picked a great spot. The main room was a great mix of wood and industrial design. They had a great amount of drink options, not to mention Star Wars themed cocktails for the “May4th” reference. The bartenders were great and there was also an acoustic performer. Joe, one of the owners, personally came over to welcome us and strike up conversation. We talked with him for awhile and he even gave us a complimentary tour of their distillery. We had been to a couple wineries in the area where the staff was not very friendly so this was a much appreciated gesture from him. (We also believe he stayed open until 8pm because we were having such a great time). The weather was not the best so we did not enjoy their patio but there was a great view of the lake. They also had a gigantic chalkboard near the restrooms that we all signed. I definitely think this is a MUST for anyone in the area. We will for sure go back on...

I really really enjoyed my trip to Barrelhouse 6 Distillery. My friends and fiancee went to Dr Frank's down the road but I had my lab Jerry with me. My plan was to go down to the road where the sign said the B6D was located. I was planning on curbside pickup when I called the distillery, but they welcomed me inside with my dog. I had a few samples and bought a couple bottles because of it. I loved the bourbon and bourbon cream that I bought. It was what I expected for the price of the bottle and will be for good friends and bad days only! Lol. The taste was amazing and finish was delightful. I will drink the cheaper stuff for less important times I did put down a quarter bottle at the lakeside cottage. Keuka Lake is a gem and Dr Frank's and Barrelhouse 6 are shining brightest when it comes to wind and spirits. I will be back as should anyone who visits. The building, deck, and view is perfect for a nice time with...