New England Distilling
26 Evergreen Drive, Portland, Maine
New England Distilling, known for its rye whiskey, bourbon, gin, and rum, was founded in 2012, but the owner’s family has roots in the business going as far back as the 1850s, having produced spirits under different labels until the 1950s. The Portland-based distillery pays homage to this history by using a combination of traditional equipment and modern gear, and offers tours and tastings.
Guided tours of New England Distilling are typically conducted by the owner, and provide a look at the distillation process, including the use of traditional copper pot stills, which purportedly improve the quality, aroma, and taste of the final product. Learn about how the company’s whiskey and gin are produced from ingredients such as grains from New England and the Midwest, while the rum is made from Caribbean molasses. Keeping it local, the spirits are fermented with yeast from Maine Beer Company.
The spirits are available for purchase at the on-site shop.
New England Distilling’s Maryland-style rye whiskey is different from Kentucky-style rye because it isn’t made with corn.
New England Distilling is one of the many stops along Maine’s distillery trail.
New England Distilling is located in the northern city limits of Portland, Maine, about a 15-minute drive from the airport. Several bus routes stop in the area of the distillery, about 10 to 20 minutes away by foot. It’s about a 30-minute bike ride or a 20-minute drive from downtown Portland.
The on-site shop is open Monday through Friday in the afternoon; tastings are also available during that time. Call ahead for tour availability or to schedule one. If you’re interested in exploring Portland’s food scene, consider visiting in the fall (September–November) when culinary events, including Harvest on the Harbor and Portland Beer Week, take place.
New England Distilling’s owner got his start at the Allagash Brewing Co., which is a short drive from the distillery. There, you can visit the on-site tasting room to try the brews. While there are no guided tours, The Cellars at Allagash Brewing offer ticketed beer-tasting experiences for groups.
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