Photos by Ashton Worthington
40 Under 40 Tastemaker 2019 Leslie Merinoff, 32
Cofounder/Co-distiller, Matchbook Distilling Co.;
Partner/Bartender, The Lin Beach House/Days Like These, Greenport, NY
Making it personal
Years of work with big-name liquor brands gave Merinoff insight into just how few craft spirits make their way to the American market. In the summer of 2018, she decided to change that. Merinoff lobbied for New York State Assembly Bill A10128A, which, after its passage into law, allowed New York State distilleries to create spirits for private, unlicensed individuals. She then cofounded Long Island-based Matchbook Distilling Co., a commission-based bespoke distillery and incubator that allows anyone to create small-batch spirits. Merinoff also bartends at Days Like These, the bar located inside a hotel where she has part ownership, and is currently a board member at Brooklyn-based Brownsville Community Culinary Center.
