Silk City Distillers is a farm-to-bottle craft distillery tucked into an industrial suite in Clifton, NJ, about 12 miles west of Manhattan. It was founded in 2014 by three lifelong friends and New Jersey natives who wanted to do everything by hand, from mashing and fermenting to distilling and bottling on-site. The grain comes from a farm in Sussex County, NJ, and the 1,000-liter still was custom-designed in partnership with StillDragon. The result is a deep lineup: straight bourbon aged four-plus years, bottled-in-bond and single-barrel cask-strength expressions, a bottled-in-bond rye made from 100% NJ rye, and a rotating cast of cask-finished releases (oloroso sherry, Madeira, cognac, apple brandy, maple). They also produce gin, vodka, and rum. The cocktail bar pours those spirits in seasonal cocktails, and the staff knows the production side cold. Visitors consistently mention the warmth of the owners and how much ground the tour covers. Groups of eight or more need a reservation, but walk-ins are welcome when the bar is open.