Lock 1 Distilling Company — Local services in Town of Schroeppel

A Hidden Gem in Phoenix, NY – Lock 1 Distillery

A couple of friends and I recently made our way to the small town of Phoenix, NY in search of a hidden gem—and we found it at Lock 1 Distillery. Before visiting, I took some time to explore their website and was impressed by the wide variety of spirits they offer. Honestly, if you can’t find something you like at Lock 1, you probably just don’t enjoy distilled spirits!

The building itself is a standout: a bright red structure trimmed in black, combining Western-style architecture with the feel of an old fire hall. It immediately catches your eye and draws you in. Inside, the vibe is rustic-industrial—plenty of wood, brick, metal accents, and chalkboard menus. The space is clean, organized, and inviting.

What really stood out to me, though, was the hospitality. The staff were incredibly warm and friendly, treating us like long-time regulars from the moment we walked in.

The Spirits I came specifically to try their barrel-aged bourbons and whiskeys, but they also offered samples of their flavored spirits. While I didn’t take detailed notes during the tasting, a few highlights left a lasting impression: F.A. Waldron Straight Bourbon Whiskey (80 proof, Distiller’s Cut) From the very first sniff, the nose was mild and inviting, with delicate hints of vanilla and caramel. I could tell right away that the distiller takes great pride in their craft—this bourbon was expertly cut. My first sip confirmed it: smooth, gently sweet with caramel and vanilla notes, and then—boom—a vivid, almost nostalgic taste of raw wheat. Imagine walking through a wheat field, breaking off a stalk, and chewing on the end. That’s the flavor I got, and it lingered beautifully with every breath I took afterward. Barrel Strength Bourbon The flavor profile was very similar to the Distiller’s Cut, but with a bit more punch, coming in just over 100 proof. It retained that same smooth, balanced complexity. Rye Whiskey (Distiller’s Cut & Barrel Strength) Both versions were outstanding. The rye was present, but not overwhelming or aggressively spicy like some ryes tend to be. It hit up front, then quickly mellowed into a rich, sweet finish.

More Than Just Spirits And yes—the food, mixed drinks, and selection of craft brews were just as impressive as their spirits. Lock 1 clearly takes pride in every aspect of the experience. This is a distillery focused not on mass production, but on craftsmanship and quality.

Ryze Vodka – A Spirit with a Story

I had to dedicate a separate post just to Lock 1 Distillery’s Ryze Vodka—it truly stands out as an exceptional spirit.

Crafted from a locally sourced grain bill of wheat and rye, Ryze is triple distilled and triple filtered through volcanic rock and activated carbon. The result? A vodka that’s incredibly clean and smooth, with subtle, refined notes of its wheat and rye origins gently coming through.

But Ryze Vodka isn’t just about taste—it’s about heritage and resilience.

On September 23, 1916, a devastating fire broke out at a factory along the river in the village of Phoenix. The blaze quickly spread, reducing the entire village to ashes. But the community didn’t falter. With unwavering grit and determination, they rebuilt—stronger than ever.

Ryze Vodka is a tribute to that spirit. Its name is no coincidence: “Ryze” evokes the Phoenix rising from the ashes, a symbol of strength, rebirth, and perseverance. This vodka captures not just the flavor of the region, but the soul of the village itself.

It’s more than a spirit—it’s a story...

Went with friends for Brunch and it was an interesting experience. The place was busy, which we expected but somehow our table seemed to get lost in the shuffle along the way. We ordered our mimosa tower and water and got our tower, no water. We waited a while for anyone to come back, and ordered food and water. No water and the food came out slowly one at a time. Asked for water as one of the servers passed by, nope, but the 4th time was the charm. Our food was good overall, no complaints there. Then we had to grab someone for the check and then after waiting as part of the social experiment to see if they cared about our table, no one came back to pick it up, so I went up to the bar and paid the bill.

I'm honestly confused as it was my first time there, but my friends have been there before and never experienced that. I'm hoping if you are reading this you take the as a random one off experience and still try for yourself. I'm comfortable saying that given all the very positive reviews that I got unlucky.

Not sure if I'll be back but I hope if you...

What an awesome venue and atmosphere! This place is decorated amazingly! They even have a window where you can watch the distilling! Their beer selection is insane, and they have a wide variety of spirits as well. For a place that specializes in alcohol/beer, the food was phenomenal, well garnished, and delicious. You can also see the food up at the window, and they got it out as soon as it was finished! Only complaint was the pizza was a tad bit on the greasy side, but I just dabbed the excess off with a napkin and it was still delicious! Better than the local pizzerias! The service was impeccable, with several perfectly timed refills on my lemonade without ever having to ask. The bartender had the perfect balance between giving attentive service, but not smothering us! The place was also exceptionally clean. As a hopeful future restauranteur, I can confidently say this is the exact type of venue, atmosphere, and customer service that I will...