Hudson Whiskey is a New York–born brand that came out of Tuthilltown Spirits, founded in 2003 in the Hudson Valley. It was one of the first distilleries to open in New York after Prohibition and quickly positioned itself as the face of a new generation of American craft whiskey. The founders leaned heavily on local grain and a farm-to-bottle ethos, making the whiskey not just a product but a statement about regional pride and authenticity.

The brand’s early releases gained attention for their intensity and youth, often bottled in short, stout bottles that looked nothing like Kentucky bourbon. That design choice wasn’t an accident — Hudson wanted to stand apart, to be bold and unmistakably New York. Over time the line has expanded into straight bourbon, rye, and limited editions, all carrying the “as bold as New York” identity that defines its messaging.

Hudson’s reputation in the whiskey world has been one of both trailblazer and provocateur. Some purists found the whiskies too young in the early years, while others admired the risk-taking and the unapologetic style. Regardless, the brand carved out space in a category dominated by Kentucky and Tennessee by embracing its own character: urban energy, creativity, and a refusal to play by old rules.

At its core, Hudson Whiskey represents the revival of distilling in New York, a blending of local agriculture and modern craft spirit culture. It is less about tradition and more about attitude — a whiskey that says where it comes from as loudly as what it tastes like.