SBDC Annual Report 2021: Last Shot Distillery

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Last Shot Distillery was not named by accident. Chris Uyehara had often thought about the business he would like to start. It takes a lot of juggling to get all the pieces to fit: product, location, funding, equipment, viable partners, etc. But, Chris recognized when the time was right and consulted the SBDC and worked with Nancy Ansteth on his business plan.

At the time he was negotiating a location in the Village of Skaneateles. It seemed as though every new inspection of the building revealed another roadblock. Eventually Chris announced he found a partner, John Menapace, who had a potential site for the distillery’s location: a former mill at 4022 Mill Road, just outside the Village of Skaneateles.

Equipment was ordered (and stalled as it was mistaken for a part of a rocket at customs), received and installed. Chris applied his knowledge of distillation and in 2015 opened an on-site taste room where locals were introduced to future bourbon, gin and vodka. The uniqueness of the business led the curious to Mill Road and the site became a popular venue for music and gatherings. At this same location Chris also started a brewery which has also gained acclaim.

The facility has been expanded, music is offered sometimes 2-3 times a week. More recently, Chris won the Discovery Channel’s Season 3, Moonshiners: Master Distiller. In the “Whiskeys of the World” competition Chris’ entry was a Japanese-style whiskey which calls for four types of malted grain. He won out over an American-style and a Scotch whiskey. Chris felt that working with his SBDC advisor enabled him to explore the vision he had for his business.


LINKS:

Visit the Last Shot Distillery website

Read the NYSBDC 2021 Annual Report