Ellicottville Distillery opened in 2016 offering a homegrown approach to the age-old practice of distilling. Charlie Bares, owner of Mallard’s Dairy in Lyndon, and Bryan Scharf, of Ellicottville, started this enterprise in 2014.
The distillery uses locally sourced ingredients to create high quality spirits and flavored liqueurs. 75% come directly from Cattaraugus County, using everything from grain, honey, cider, and maple syrup to bottle or glass in the production of their spirits. The spent grain from the Distillery is sent back to be used on Charlie’s farm for complete recycle of the grain.
When they first opened they offered a clear whiskey and vodka. Since then they have grown to ten different products including Appleshine, Blueberry Vodka, Gin and a Maple Bourbon Crème. Bryan Scharf attended the Great American International Spirits Competition where their Straight Bourbon received a gold medal and the Maple Bourbon Crème and Appleshine both received bronze.
They intend to grow the tasting room at the Distillery and supplement with events and rentable spaces. They plan to continue with Bourbon and Whiskey’s with the addition of a rick house as they currently have over 100 barrels aging.
