Colts Neck Stillhouse is New Jersey's first full-service farm distillery, set in a 4,800-square-foot converted farmhouse along Route 34 in Monmouth County. Founder Geoff Karch built it on a simple principle: source as much grain as possible from local farms, then turn it into something worth drinking. The result is a lineup that covers a lot of ground -- copper pot gin, straight bourbon and rye, wheat vodka, and flavored moonshines that lean into the seasons.

Step inside and you get a good look at how the spirits are made through large glass panels overlooking the still room. The circular bar at the center of the space anchors a craft cocktail program that leans hard into house-made ingredients: tinctures, bitters, cordials, syrups, and shrubs built from locally sourced produce. Drinks are named for pop culture references and rotate with the seasons, with Sunday specials like the Bloody Janice adding some personality to the lineup.

The back and front patios welcome dogs, and the location next to Delicious Orchards makes it a natural stop on a fall day. A winding staircase leads to a private room upstairs, and the grounds can accommodate food trucks and outdoor events. Tours of the distillery, parlor, and barrel room are available by appointment, rounding out what is genuinely one of the more complete distillery experiences in the New York metro area.