Building a Dream,
One Sip at a Time
When founder Lieutenant General Mike Basla retired from the U.S. Air Force, he returned to his roots in Central New York with a mission: to strengthen the local economy, create jobs, and give back to the veteran community. Inspired by The Maples farm, its natural limestone-filtered spring water, and the region's exceptional local ingredients, he saw the perfect opportunity to establish a distillery. Learn more from our friends at I Love NY.
Starting From Scratch
Established in 2017, Madison County Distillery was born on The Maples—our historic 80-acre farm in the heart of Central New York. At its center stands our handcrafted barn, thoughtfully built using 200-year-old reclaimed timber sourced directly from the property. The result is a warm, inviting space that reflects the character, history, and craftsmanship woven into everything we do.
Our commitment to the land extends beyond the distillery itself. Sustainability is at the heart of our vision, and our goal is to one day grow and harvest many of the ingredients used in our spirits right here on the farm. By bringing more of the process home, we're creating a true farm-to-bottle experience.
Meet Our Founder
While we're incredibly proud of Mike's 36 years of service, here at the distillery he's simply Dad, Mike, or "Coach." His leadership, hospitality, and passion for bringing people together are at the heart of everything we do.
On most days, you'll find Mike hard at work around the distillery, or relaxing with his signature General's Gin cocktail on the rocks—garnished with two olives—as he welcomes guests and shares stories. He genuinely enjoys meeting new people and takes pride in making every visit to Madison County Distillery memorable, ensuring guests leave with an experience worth returning for.
“My vision for this land is to have it be self-sustaining and make it more beautiful than we found it.”
Mike Basla