New Jersey distilled spirits

The production of distilled spirits in New Jersey has not been a large industry in the state. Strict alcoholic beverage control laws in place during and after Prohibition (1919-1933) prevented the industry from growing for almost a century. In 2013, the state passed a law creating a craft distillery license. Jersey Spirits Distilling Co. in Fairfield is the newest distillery to be issued a NJ Craft license.

New Jersey has a long distilling history dating to the colonial era when large landowners converted surplus fruit into brandy, sugar into rum, and grain into whiskey. As of 2013^[update], the state is home to two licensed distilleries. Laird & Company, in the Scobeyville section of Colts Neck, is the oldest licensed distillery in the United States, and received License No. 1 from the U.S. Department of the Treasury in 1780. By 1834, New Jersey boasted 388 distilleries.

In 2013, the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control issued its first distillery license in 94 years (since instituting Prohibition), to Jersey Artisan Distilling, based in Fairfield, in Essex County, which plans to produce rum flavoured by fruit grown in the state, and whiskey from local sweet corn. Another distillery startup, Cooper River Distillers in Camden, was expected to receive a state distillery license later in 2013. New Jersey's newest craft distillery, Jersey Spirits Distilling Co. received licensing in July 2015, and opened its doors in Fairfield with its signature Main Street Vodka. This distillery also produces whiskey, bourbon, gin and rum.

New Jersey presently has several licensed distilleries, Laird & Company licensed with a Rectifier and Blender license, Jersey Artisan Distilling which has a Plenary Distillery license, Jersey Spirits Distilling Co. which has a Craft Distilling license, and Corgi Spirits at the Jersey City Distillery which has a Craft Distilling License. Laird is the nation's only remaining producer of applejack. Presently none of the company's distilling takes place in New Jersey. Laird's obtains all its apples from Virginia's Shenandoah Valley and distills its products in Virginia. Distilling at its New Jersey facilities ceased in 1972 and Laird's blends, ages and bottles its products in Scobeyville.

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