Before we left on our journey, a friend remarked, somewhat sarcastically, “I’ll bet you even manage to turn up a distillery or two.” I didn’t — I turned up several. In Vermont, the entrepreneurial impulse combines with the desire for artisanally produced products, and the state currently has 19 distilleries in operation, many of which offer pourings at local farmers’ markets. Here are those we sought out.

Caledonia Spirits

This fine producer turns out three bottlings: two gins and a vodka. I liked both gins, Barr Hill and Tom Cat. Unusually, the latter is aged in charred oak barrels, which gives it an amber hue and notes of spice and honey.

Caledonia Spirits
46 Log Yard Road, Hardwick. Tel. (802) 472-8000