GrandTen Distilling: Revival of a Revenant and Other Handcrafted Booze

Distillery's Tasting Station

With the recent (79^th) celebration of Repeal (of the 18th Amendment) Day (December 5, 1933) and multiple Post-Prohibition celebrations throughout the Boston Area, I wanted to introduce my readers to Grand Ten Distillers (GTD).  
The passage of the 21st Amendment moved our nation into an era of freedom we were deprived of for 13 years.  
 
Boston, in particular, has a long history of "Rum-Running" and there are a few pretty awesome pictures of its history archived at Boston Public Library.
 

Man operates still on back of carriage-Leslie Jones Collection via Boston Public Library-(flickr)

Cousins and founders of GTD, Matt Neurnberger and Spencer McMinnare carry on time-honored booze production with their recent addition of "New England-style" Medford Rum.  Their grandfather made wine for decades and Matt recalls fond memories of wine and spirits playing a distinct and integral role during family  gatherings.

Spencer McMinn next to GTD's 50-gal electric German copper still.

Revival of a Revanant

rev·e·nant

[rev-uh-nuhnt] 

noun

1. a person who returns.

2. a person who returns as a spirit after death; ghost.

Boston's not new to hand-crafted beverages, but Matt and Spencer are not your average distillers.  Not only are their products unique, so is the birth of GrandTen Distilling.  

GTD began as a project during Matt's Business Entrepreneurship degree at Babson College.  He commissioned the help of Spencer, who was completing a post-doctoral program in Industrial Chemistry in Paris, to join him eventually in making the project a reality in 2010.  The space was leased in 2011 with the first product launched in 2012.

Research!

Experiments!

I walked into GTD headquarters and distillery, and the sweet aroma of boiling rum wash wafts towards me. Matt met me at the door with his intense yet warm countenance.  The space was interestingly homey like a basement playroom.  It's cool and quiet with an echo in the air leaving space for conversation.  Spencer was intensely working at the computer as Matt showed off their toys.

"Ever had a New England-style rum? ", asks Matt after I inquire about what's actively being distilled in the beautiful 50 gallon German copper still.
"No.  I don't think so", I reply.  
"Well, that's because the rum industry fell off here after prohibition.", Matt informs me.  

Now I'm intrigued.   Matt tells me that one difference between New England and Caribbean rum is that they are using a wild yeast versus traditional rum yeast.

Medford rum was produced for about 200 years from the early 1700s to the early 1900s, most notably by the Hall family in the 1700s and later, Lawrence family in Medford, Massachusetts.

I have been learning about rum since earlier in the year and am looking forward to GTD's launch of their Medford Rum which will be aged for 1 year.

Other Grand Ten Distillers Products

Wire Works American Gin

-Gin has long been not such a good friend to me.  For almost a decade I cringed and gagged at even just the aroma of the spirit.  
Needless to say, I avoided even giving it a chance until more recently (about a year ago).  I've only recently realized that the real issue I have with gin isn't the spirit itself, but simply it's English background.  I truly cannot tolerate the heavy juniper notes in English gin.  
Along came Wire Works American Gin, winner of a MicroLiquor Spirit Award, and something in my clicked.  As Matt and I discussed (and tried to narrow down my disdain for English gin) he offered a side by side comparison and alas! I was able to articulate what has turned me off for so many years.  Juniper!

Wire Works American Gin is 90 proof and well-balanced.  There is not an initial onslaught of juniper chased with the burn of alcohol as I find offensive in English gin.  There is a smoothness that I did not anticipate.  There were coriander notes mid palate and a nice acidity and citrus on the end.   I live for moments like that- when your palate can be convinced that what you've held in contempt for extended period of time is actually OK.

 
Fire Puncher Vodka
 
-Named for Tommy Maguire who, back in 1887, apparently fought off flames which breached the very building where GTD is now housed, Fire Puncher Vodka certainly earns its epithet.

This chipotle-distilled, hickory-infused vodka carries a flavor that can be appreciated by vodka and peaty scotch drinkers alike.  Perfect for a Bloody Mary, there are a vast variety of interesting cocktails just waiting for this product!  I personally enjoyed it infused with bacon!



Check GrandTen Distilling's website for cocktail recipes using the American Gin and Fire Puncher Vodka, here.

 GTD also creates beautiful liqueurs

Amandine Barrel Aged Almond Liqueur 

- A lovely liqueur made with 100% almond, no extract or artificial flavoring or coloring, the Amandine is aged in a new oak barrel with additional almonds.  It's lightly sweetened with sugar and is 60 proof. 
I imagine drizzling this beauty over sponge cake or added to a finished rum cake.
Matt mentions a Godfather (typically made with scotch and amaretto), substitute with Amandine.  Sounds good to me.

Angelica Botanical Liqueur 

-A very unique product, you would be hard pressed to find a similar liqueur on the market.  Based upon the angelica root botanical which Matt and Spencer were fans of but not for their gin recipe.  This began a brainstorm of how can angelica be used in other ways.  Angelica Botanical Liqueur was born.  Cinnamon and cloves hit the front palate with simple sweetness on the back.
 
Massachusetts Cranberry Liqueur was launched in late December.


The tasting bar has a few cool pieces including their grandfather's old wine press and a couple of old stills.

Stills from the early 1900s

You can find GrandTen Distilling's products at the locations listed, here