2021 DRINK LOCAL DISTILLERY & CIDERY GUIDE
SPIRIT RENAISSANCE
An increasing number of craft spirit makers have debuted in New Jersey since legislative changes in 2013 made it easier—for the first time since Prohibition— for distillers to become licensed in the Garden State. Today, distillers statewide are producing an impressive array of handcrafted vodkas, rums, gins, whiskies, hard ciders and other spirits. From city-based to on-farm operations, many producers also often source ingredients from local farms, mills and orchards, infusing the young new spirits industry with a distinctly New Jersey flavor. Here are a few selected venues to tour, taste, enjoy a cocktail, and learn more.
3BR DISTILLERY | 3BR Distillery is a producer of craft spirits, including vodkas and unique specialty spirits made from peas as an homage to a family recipe secretly distilled in the USSR. Visit their kitschy, Soviet-punk tasting room to experience cocktails inspired by Russian ingredients. 7 Main Street, Keyport. 862.259.5991. 3brdistillery.com
ALL POINTS WEST DISTILLERY | Located in Newark’s Ironbound, All Points West Distillery crafts whiskey, rum, gin and vodka with a distinctly American take on Old World distilling traditions. The resulting spirits are innovative and have won numerous international awards. 73 Tichenor Street (in the Ironbound), Newark. 646.251.5839. allpointswestdistillery.com
BLUE RASCAL DISTILLERY | Located in the heart of blueberry country in Hammonton, Blue Rascal uses blueberry varieties and other ingredients grown by surrounding farms to bring a nuanced flavor to their hand-crafted brandies, vodka and liqueurs. 8 West End Avenue, Hammonton. bluerascaldistillery.com. 609.878.3578
GARDEN STATE DISTILLERY | With a belief that where things come from matters, this distiller strives to use only grains and malts from NJ in crafting their products. The same philosophy further inspires their support of local charities, non-profits and arts. 13 Washington Street, Toms River. 732.359.3210. gardenstatedistillery.com
INDEPENDENT SPIRITS DISTILLERY | This family-owned grain to glass distillery is tucked away on a tenacre farm in Southern NJ, located moments from the Turnpike and I-295, where they proudly handcraft spirits from local grains. Open weekends. 131 Davidson Road, Woolwich Township. 609.202.5458. isdistillery.com
IRONBOUND HARD CIDER | Only using 100% fresh-pressed apples and other infusions from Ironbound Farm and its network of local growers, Ironbound crafts clean, balanced and refreshing ciders. No additional sugars, concentrates, “natural flavors”, sulfites, or other preservatives. 360 County Road 579, Asbury. 908.940.4115. ironboundfarm.com
JERSEY SPIRITS DISTILLING CO. | Family owned and operated since 2015, this authentic distillery locally mashes, ferments, distills, ages and bottles every product in their single manufacturing facility in Fairfield, NJ, with a dedication to crafting as purely as possible. 1275 Bloomfield Avenue, Building 7, Unit 40B, Fairfield. 973.227.5333. jerseyspirits.com
LAIRD & COMPANY | Laird & Company is America’s oldest distillery and best known for Laird’s Applejack. Headquartered in Monmouth County and with an historic customer roster that includes George Washington, the company has been run by the Laird Family since 1780. 1 Laird Road, Scobeyville. 732.542.0312. lairdandcompany.com
RECKLESSTOWN FARM DISTILLERY | Owned and operated by a 12th generation farmer and his family, Recklesstown is dedicated to each step in the craft distillation process from seed selection to the creation of premium spirits. True to their agrarian roots, cocktails feature seasonal, fresh ingredients. 2800 Rt. 206, Columbus. 609.784.8046. facebook.com/recklesstownfarmdistillery
SOURLAND MOUNTAIN SPIRITS | Located on a sustainable farm in the scenic Sourland Mountains region of central NJ, Sourland has been “lifting spirits since 2015” with its award-winning vodka, gin and bourbon. Visit for a tour and tasting. 130 Hopewell Rocky Hill Road, Hopewell. 609.333.8575. sourlandspirits.com
