You have to want to find Last Shot Distillery, and that's part of its charm. Set along quiet Mill Road outside the storybook village of Skaneateles — a town better known for its pristine lake and upscale boutiques — this small-batch operation rewards the short detour with carefully crafted spirits and an intimate tasting room that feels worlds away from the busier western Finger Lakes trail.

Last Shot focuses on local grain and meticulous process, producing vodka, whiskey, and rotating seasonal releases that showcase what the eastern Finger Lakes can do with distilled spirits. The whiskey program in particular reflects patience and intent — these are not rushed products. The tasting room is small enough that you'll likely end up in conversation with whoever's pouring, which tends to be someone who actually had a hand in making what's in your glass. That kind of access and knowledge is what separates a visit here from picking up a bottle at a liquor store.

This is a destination for spirit enthusiasts who appreciate craft over flash — the sort of people who read the back label and care about mash bills. It pairs well with a day spent exploring Skaneateles village, maybe lunch at one of the lakeside restaurants followed by a tasting at Last Shot before the drive home. The FLX Finest Silver for Best Distillery confirms what the small but loyal following already knows: this is serious spirits country, even if it doesn't advertise itself with a giant sign on the highway.