LYUBOMIROFF
New Jersey has a reputation for many things. A serious craft spirits scene is not always the first thing people mention — but it should be.
Over the past decade, small-scale spirits producers have established themselves across the state, and the retail network that supports them has grown alongside them. Independent liquor stores, specialty wine shops, and other local retailers can be some of the best places to discover spirits that you will not necessarily find on the shelves of a large chain.
The challenge is knowing where to look.
This guide explains how to find craft spirits in New Jersey, what to look for once you are in the store, and where to start if you want to discover local and distinctive spirits — including LYUBOMIROFF vodka and liqueurs.
Why New Jersey craft spirits are worth seeking out
New Jersey's modern craft spirits story gained momentum in 2013, when the state created a craft distillery license specifically for smaller-scale spirits production. The license initially allowed qualifying producers to manufacture up to 20,000 gallons annually and sell and distribute their products through licensed wholesalers and retailers.
Since then, New Jersey's spirits scene has continued to develop, with producers working across traditional categories as well as more distinctive styles and flavor profiles.
Part of what makes the state interesting is its cultural diversity. New Jersey sits at the center of one of the country's most diverse metropolitan regions, and that diversity is reflected in its food and drink traditions. In Northern New Jersey, areas with established Eastern European food and beverage traditions have helped create an audience for flavors that are less common on the shelves of large national retailers.
That can mean spirits inspired by recipes, ingredients, and traditions that have been enjoyed for generations: horseradish-infused spirits, honey liqueurs, fruit liqueurs, and other expressions built around familiar ingredients in less familiar forms.
For shoppers, that is part of the appeal of exploring local spirits. You may find something that has a story behind it — not simply another variation of a familiar category.
Where to look: the right type of store
Not every liquor store carries craft spirits, and knowing which types of retailers are more likely to have them can save time.
Independent liquor stores
Independent liquor stores are often the best places to discover craft spirits in New Jersey. Unlike large chains, independent retailers can make their own buying decisions and often have more flexibility to bring in smaller or regional producers. Store owners and staff may also know their inventory well enough to recommend something based on what you actually like, rather than simply pointing you toward the most recognizable brand.
In Northern New Jersey, it can also be worth checking stores in neighborhoods with established Eastern European and other immigrant food and beverage traditions. These retailers may carry imported and domestic spirits that reflect the tastes of their local customers.
Wine and spirits boutiques
Specialty wine shops that also carry spirits can be another good source for craft products. These stores often use their spirits selection as a way to differentiate themselves from larger retailers. Their selections may focus more heavily on provenance, production methods, regional products, and distinctive flavor profiles.
If you are looking for something outside the most familiar national brands, ask the staff what smaller or New Jersey-based producers they currently carry.
Gourmet and specialty food stores
Some independent grocery stores and specialty food retailers also carry a small spirits selection, particularly when the products complement the food traditions of their customers. The selection may be limited, but that can be an advantage: a smaller shelf is sometimes a more carefully chosen shelf.
How to find craft spirits near you in New Jersey
If you are searching for craft spirits near you, independent retailers are the best starting point. Ask directly what New Jersey-made or locally produced spirits they carry — a good independent store will know.
LYUBOMIROFF products are available through select retail partners across Northern and Central New Jersey — from Bergen and Passaic counties through Essex, Hudson, Union, and Middlesex. Use the retailer map to find the nearest location. Retail availability changes as distribution grows, so the map is always the most current reference.
What to look for on the shelf
Once you are in the right store, knowing what to look for can make the experience more rewarding.
Look for the ingredient story. Craft spirits can be especially interesting when the ingredients are part of the product's identity. If a honey liqueur, fruit liqueur, or flavored spirit tells you what gives it its character, you can get a better sense of what you are buying before you open the bottle.
Look for small-batch language that means something. "Small-batch" has become a common marketing term, so it is worth looking beyond the phrase itself. Look for information about the producer, ingredients, production location, and the story behind the recipe. If you are curious, ask the store staff about the brand.
Look for spirits with a specific cultural or regional identity. Some of the most interesting craft spirits are connected to a particular tradition, place, ingredient, or family recipe. A spirit inspired by an Eastern European table, for example, can offer a very different experience from a product developed primarily for a contemporary cocktail menu.
Ask for New Jersey-made. One of the simplest ways to discover local products is to ask. Try asking, "What do you carry that is made in New Jersey?" A knowledgeable independent retailer can often point you toward local or regional producers you might otherwise miss.
LYUBOMIROFF in New Jersey
LYUBOMIROFF is a New Jersey craft spirits brand producing small-batch vodka and distinctive liqueurs built around natural ingredients and traditional flavor profiles.
Based in Clifton, New Jersey, LYUBOMIROFF offers vodka and seven liqueurs, each built around a different primary ingredient or flavor tradition: Vodka, Honey, Horseradish, Rusty Horseradish with horseradish and beet, Cherry, Cranberry, and Prune, Amber Orchard Apple Liqueur.
The range draws on Eastern European food and drink traditions while presenting those familiar ingredients in a contemporary spirits collection. Some expressions are traditional in inspiration; others offer a more modern interpretation of familiar flavors.
A note on buying craft spirits in NJ
Craft spirits reach New Jersey consumers through several channels, depending on the producer and its license.
Some producers sell directly from licensed distillery premises, while others rely primarily on wholesalers and retail partners. For brands focused on retail distribution, independent liquor stores and specialty wine shops can be especially important.
That relationship between craft producers and good independent retailers is one of the things that makes the category work.
When you buy a craft spirit at an independent store, you are supporting both the producer and the retailer simultaneously. That matters for smaller brands, where shelf space and customer demand can have a meaningful effect on which products a store continues to carry.
If you find a local spirit you like, asking for it by name — or asking a store to consider carrying it — can make a difference.
How to explore further
If you are new to craft spirits and not sure where to start, a few practical suggestions can make the process easier:
- Start with a category you already enjoy. If you normally drink vodka, try a craft vodka first. Comparing it with the bottle you usually buy can help you notice differences in character, texture, and flavor.
- Ask the store for a recommendation at your price point. Independent retailers often know their craft selection well. Tell the staff what you normally drink, what flavors you like, and how much you want to spend.
- Try something you would not normally reach for. Honey liqueur, horseradish liqueur, prune liqueur, or a fruit-based expression may sound unfamiliar at first. That is often exactly what makes discovering craft spirits interesting.
- Check the label for the production location. If buying local matters to you, look for information about where the spirit was produced or ask the retailer. Not every product on a local shelf is necessarily made in New Jersey.
- Check availability before you go. Smaller producers may have limited distribution, and a store's selection can change. If you are looking for a particular bottle, call the retailer or check the producer's current retailer list first.
The craft spirits shelf at a good New Jersey independent store is one of the more interesting places to spend twenty minutes. You may find a bottle you've never heard of, an ingredient you have never tried in a spirit, or a recipe connected to a tradition you already know.
The best part is that you do not have to travel far to start exploring.
Look around your local stores. Ask questions. Try something different.
Worth finding.
