Brooklyn Stillhouse hosts The Last Barrel, a farewell event on Thursday, June 12, giving the opportunity for craft spirits lovers to have one last tase of Van Brunt Stillhouse whiskey.
The celebration, from 2:00pm to 7:00pm at 6 Bay St. in Red Hook, marks the end of an era and offers guests a final opportunity to purchase Van Brunt Stillhouse whiskey before it's gone for good.
Founded in 2012 by Daric Schlesselman, Van Brunt, which closed in 2024, built a national reputation for its small-batch whiskeys and commitment to local sourcing.
General admission is $35 and includes a guided tasting led by Schlesselman, a welcome cocktail and small bites from local food vendors, along with access to purchase rare bottles. A $100 VIP ticket offers an elevated experience and can be purchased through Eventbrite.
Guests will have the exclusive opportunity to sample never-before-released barrels and limited expressions that represent more than a decade of craftsmanship. Special guest bartenders, including Lucinda Sterling of Seaborne, Michael Neff of Brooklyn Gin, Damon Bolte of King Floyd Bitters and Masa Urushido will serve craft cocktails throughout the day.
The culinary lineup features Chaat Dog and Baby Smoker. Chaat Dog, created by chef and journalist Pervaiz Shallwani, serves hot dogs (beef or vegetarian) topped with South Asian chaat and chutneys, blending Chicago street food with Pakistani flavors. Baby Smoker, a woman-owned barbecue venture by Petra Bartosiewicz, offers Texas-style smoked ribs, brisket, chicken and sides, all prepared over locally sourced cherry, apple, maple and oak wood.
Attendees can also enter a raffle for the chance to win rare bottles of Van Brunt whiskey. Live music and community spirit round out the experience.
When Van Brunt Stillhouse closed, prices of its bottles skyrocketing on resale markets, Gothamist reported. Originally retailing for about $60, some bottles are now listed online for nearly triple that.
Earlier this year, Brooklyn Craft Works, makers of Brooklyn Gin and 718 Vodka moved into the former Van Brunt Stillhouse. Now known as Brooklyn Stillhouse, the distillery continues that legacy while launching a new chapter in Red Hook’s craft spirits history.
