Our people
Cocktail people making spirits for cocktails
New York Distilling Company brings together people with deep experience in cocktails, hospitality and independent drinks-making—all focused on creating spirits with a distinctly New York point of view.
Co-founder
Allen Katz
New York Distilling Company co-founder Allen Katz has spent his career immersed in cocktail culture, distilled spirits and their intersection in the history of American gastronomy.
A rye whiskey revolutionary, his experience and dedication have shaped the distillery’s focus on purposefully different spirits made for cocktails.
Tom Potter
Co-Founder
Tom co-founded Brooklyn Brewery in 1987, where he served as CEO and Chairman of the Board. He is the co-author of Beer School: Bottling Success at the Brooklyn Brewery and a past Executive Director of the American Institute of Wine & Food. Tom helped found both the New York State Distillers Guild and the American Craft Spirits Association and has served on the boards of both organizations.
Bill Potter
Chief Blender and Distiller
Bill worked in the fine dining service industry for ten years before taking over the helm as Chief Blender and Distiller for NYDC. He is a member of the American Sommelier Association, and gained his Spirits Specialist certification (CSS) from the Society of Wine Educators. Bill has also been a AASI level II certified snowboard instructor at Vail, Colorado.
From the beginning
NYDC was founded on a shared belief: New York could make world-class spirits with their own character and point of view. That belief continues to shape what we make and how we make it in Brooklyn.
Get in touch
Talk to our team
For community initiatives, media enquiries or general questions about New York Distilling Company, send us a message and the appropriate member of our team will respond.
Community outreach
We are delighted to entertain opportunities to contribute to civic and other charitable endeavors. Our facility is available to host fundraisers and other related functions. For further information contact Darby Mitchell at darby@nydistilling.com
Public Relations
For media or other public relations queries please contact Rachel Harrison of Rachel Harrison Communications at NYDC@WeAreRHC.com
Made by cocktail people
Meet the spirits.
Purposefully different. Made for cocktails.
Shop our spirits