Caledonia Spirits Distillery | Montpelier

The Caledonia Spirits Distillery, located on the banks of the Winooski River in Montpelier, Vermont, has become a cornerstone of New England’s craft distilling scene. Best known for its award-winning Barr Hill line of spirits, this modern distillery blends Vermont’s agricultural roots with refined distillation craftsmanship. Every bottle reflects the local environment-wild honey, regional grains, and botanicals gathered from the surrounding forests and meadows-capturing the taste of Vermont in liquid form.

Origins & Philosophy
Caledonia Spirits was founded in 2011 by Todd Hardie, a lifelong beekeeper and farmer who envisioned a distillery built around Vermont’s natural abundance. His guiding idea was simple yet profound: the best spirits come from the best ingredients, and those ingredients come from the land you love. Working with head distiller Ryan Christiansen, Hardie developed recipes that highlighted raw honey as both a flavor and a symbol of place. What began as a small rural operation in Hardwick, Vermont, soon grew into a nationally recognized brand celebrated for purity, sustainability, and craftsmanship.

The Montpelier Distillery & Tasting Room
In 2019, Caledonia Spirits opened its striking new facility in Montpelier’s riverfront district, a sleek blend of wood, glass, and steel that mirrors Vermont’s modern rural aesthetic. The interior is both industrial and warm, featuring tall copper stills visible through glass walls and tasting counters crafted from local maple. The building’s design emphasizes transparency-visitors can watch the distillation process unfold while sipping the finished product.

The tasting room and cocktail bar serve as a sensory introduction to Barr Hill spirits. Expert bartenders mix inventive cocktails using honey, herbs, and seasonal Vermont produce. Large windows overlook the river, and the outdoor patio buzzes with conversation in summer months as locals and travelers share tasting flights under the soft hum of bees from the rooftop hives.

Signature Spirits
The distillery’s flagship products include:

Barr Hill Gin – A botanical gin infused with raw honey after distillation, known for its silky texture and floral depth.

Barr Hill Vodka – Made entirely from honey, distilled until crystal-clear but retaining faint notes of wildflower nectar.

Tom Cat Gin – A barrel-aged gin resting in new American oak, combining juniper and caramel tones-a Vermont twist on tradition.

Each spirit carries a touch of the wild, connecting the drinker to the landscapes and apiaries that supply the ingredients.

Sustainability & Craftsmanship
Sustainability lies at the core of Caledonia Spirits’ mission. The distillery works directly with local farmers and beekeepers, sourcing raw honey from Vermont hives and grains from regional growers. The staff often describe themselves as stewards of the land as much as distillers. Bees and pollinators are celebrated through educational programs and the company’s Bee’s Knees Week, a nationwide initiative that supports bee habitat restoration through partnerships with conservation groups.

Tours & Experiences
Guided distillery tours run throughout the week, offering visitors an immersive look into the art and science of spirit-making. Guests can follow the process from fermentation to bottling and finish with a curated tasting. For those seeking a deeper dive, mixology classes teach the craft of building balanced cocktails using local ingredients. The combination of technical insight, craftsmanship, and conviviality makes every visit both informative and memorable.

Atmosphere & Visitor Impression
Walking into Caledonia Spirits feels less like entering a factory and more like stepping into a gathering place for artisans. The air carries hints of juniper, honey, and oak. Conversations mingle with the rhythmic clinking of bottles and the soft hum of distillation equipment. Whether you’re a spirit connoisseur or a curious traveler, the experience feels grounded, authentic, and unmistakably Vermont.

Essence of the Place
Caledonia Spirits Distillery is more than a producer of fine gin and vodka-it’s a celebration of Vermont’s craftsmanship, ecology, and slow living. Each pour tells a story of bees, fields, and rivers, blending rural tradition with modern artistry. For many visitors, a stop at Caledonia Spirits feels like tasting the very spirit of Vermont itself-refined, natural, and quietly remarkable.