Black Button breaks ground on $5m distillery

New York-based Black Button Distilling has broken ground on a new US$5 million distillery and tasting room, which will more than quadruple its production capacity.

The new facilities will be located at 1344 University Avenue, Rochester, US, and are scheduled to open by late spring or early summer 2023.

The new site will allow Black Button Distilling to more than quadruple its floor space from 5,000 square feet to 28,000 sq ft.

Average annual spirits production will also jump from 1,000 barrels per year to as much as 4,500 barrels in the first few years.

Black Button’s retail tasting room space will increase from 1,500 sq ft to 4,500 sq ft.

Furthermore, the expansion will add close to 20 jobs in the first year, and up to 50 roles in the following years.

Black Button Distilling’s expansion coincides with the producer’s 10-year anniversary this year.

Jason Barrett, Black Button Distilling founder and master distiller, said: “After 10 years of phenomenal growth we’re excited to enter the next phase of Black Button’s future.

“When I first opened our location on Railroad Street in 2012, I couldn’t have imagined a day when we would need more space. Then, when we expanded twice, I thought that would certainly be enough.

“Now, 10 years later, we once again need to increase our infrastructure to support our hard-working team and accommodate the demand for our craft spirits.”

The producer’s portfolio includes Four Grain Straight Bourbon, Bespoke Bourbon Cream, and Citrus Forward gin.

In February 2019, Constellation Brands acquired a minority stake in Black Button Distilling for an undisclosed sum.