Tamworth Distilling
- Alex McCabe
- Jan 1, 2000
- 3 min read
Founding Year & Location: 2015 & Tamworth, New Hampshire
Founder: Steven Grasse’s vision for Tamworth was deeply personal: a return to craft, community, and curiosity. He was the creative force behind the household brands Hendrick’s gin and Sailor Jerry Rum. His background in advertising and brand development gave him the tools to build a distillery that’s as much about storytelling as it is about spirits. With a reverence for forgotten recipes and wild ingredients, Grasse treats Tamworth as a test kitchen for American distilling’s future.
Signature Style: Tamworth Distilling follows a wilderness-to-bottle ethos. Their spirits are crafted using local New England grains milled on-site, pure water from the Ossipee Stratified Aquifer, and foraged botanicals from the surrounding White Mountains and their own garden. Their 250-gallon Vendome copper still is outfitted for versatility, allowing them to produce whiskey, gin, applejack, and experimental infusions like venison- and crab-flavored bourbons. Every bottle is hand-filled, labeled, and designed with intention.
Historical Timeline
2015: Tamworth Distilling opens, launching with Skiklubben Aquavit to support restoration of the Nansen Ski Jump, as well as their gin and vodka.
2016: October saw the release of their first aged spirit, 1766 rye, aged two years.
2017: The release of both their Whipple Wheat Whiskey and Chocorua Rye mark their 2nd and 3rd aged releases, allowing for more readily available whiskey.
2018: Release of the first House of Tamworth spirit, Eau de Musc: Castoreum Whiskey. A whiskey infused with castoreum from a beaver’s castor gland.
2021: Forbes names Tamworth the best NH distillery.
2022: Crab Trapper bourbon released, distilled with invasive green crab to highlight ecological issues. Receives much wider National coverage in the whiskey world and becomes a highlight release.
Cultural & Regional Influence
Geography & Climate: Nestled in the White Mountains, Tamworth benefits from pristine water and a rich botanical landscape. The aquifer beneath the distillery is protected by granite bedrock, ensuring purity and sustainability.
Community Ties: Tamworth sources grains and botanicals from within a 150-mile radius, supporting local farms and repurposing spent ingredients into cattle feed, jams, and granola bars. Their work reflects a deep commitment to regional ecology and heritage.
Production Evolution
Techniques & Equipment: The custom Vendome still includes a brandy helmet, whiskey column, gin basket, and rectifying column allowing for seasonal flexibility and creative experimentation.
Innovation & Tradition: Tamworth revives forgotten American recipes while pushing boundaries with wild infusions. Their spirits range from classic rye and bourbon to avant-garde creations like durian-infused Corpse Flower brandy and spruce-and-goose whiskey.
Sustainability: Local sourcing, ingredient repurposing, and small-batch production reduce environmental impact and support regional agriculture.
Modern Identity
Leadership: Steven Grasse remains the creative engine behind Tamworth, blending historical research with wild imagination.
Brand Philosophy: Tamworth champions “nature as collaborator,” and is inspired by New England transcendentalism and the natural beauty of Tamworth. Their spirits are rooted in place, history, and experimentation designed to provoke curiosity and conversation.
Flagship Expressions:
o White Mountain Vodka & Skiklubben Aquavit & Gin
o Tamworth Garden Experimental & Seasonal Gins
o Chocorua Straight Rye Whiskey
o The Old Man of the Mountain Bourbon
o House of Tamworth experimental series (e.g., Crab Trapper, Deer Slayer)
o Seasonal gins and botanical infusions
o Apple Brandy
Personal Opinion
Tamworth Distilling is one of the most daring distilleries in America, pushing the boundaries of what we consider whiskey. While their experimental releases grab headlines, it’s their foundational rye, wheat whiskey, and bourbon that show true craftsmanship. Their commitment to local sourcing and true small batch shine through in their products. The whiskey tastes uniquely New Hampshire with no true comparison on the market. Their rye in particular has such a clean profile with the creamiest mouthfeel I’ve ever experienced on an American Whiskey. Come for the weird, stay for the craftsmanship.
Of note, Tamworth may be silently producing the best gin in America. With Hendricks gin as a notch in the belt, Tamworth takes that base and excels in every facet. If you like gin, don’t forget to add a couple bottles to any order.
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