Boston Harbor Distillery
Overview of the Distillery
Boston Harbor Distillery sits on Boston's southern waterfront in a renovated mill building from 1859 and produces whole-grain whiskey as well as a range of handcrafted spirits. Since its founding in 2012, the distillery has combined bonded barrel aging with small-batch production of gin, rum, liqueurs, and experiments such as distilled beer. The site is open to visitors with tours, tastings and a cocktail lounge, making it a lively gathering spot for both locals and travelers.
History
Rhonda Kallman founded Boston Harbor Distillery in 2012 after a long career in the American craft beer industry with the desire to produce whole-grain whiskey in her hometown. After nearly two years of searching, the right location was found in The Port on Boston Harbor, in an 1859 mill building that underwent extensive renovation. Dr. James Swan became the distillery's first technical staff member and contributed expertise in whiskey production and maturation. Today, Filipe Garcia leads distillation and blending, and the distillery has hundreds of barrels maturing in its bonded barrel storage while also producing gin, rum, liqueurs and distilled beer.
Raw Materials and Production
Production rests on the principle of whole-grain whiskey and includes rye whiskey as part of the range. In addition to whiskey, small-batch series of gin and rum and liqueurs are produced, and the distillery has distilled beer in collaboration with Sam Adams. Product descriptions highlight the use of regional ingredients in the liqueurs, for example Autocrat Coffee and genuine New England maple syrup. The whiskeys age in a bonded barrel storage. More detailed technical information about fermentation times, still types, and distillation counts is not published in the available descriptions.
Aging and Barrel Types
The distillery stores hundreds of barrels in a bonded barrel storage warehouse, ensuring aging under regulated conditions. There is no detailed documentation of what barrel types are used, but the presence of a bonded storage and early guidance from a maturation expert suggests a systematic approach to aging.
Whisky(s)
The range includes Putnam and Demon Seed whiskies as well as Lawley’s gin and rum, pre-batched cocktails, and a series of Boston Harbor liqueurs. Specific products include Boston Harbor Coffee Liqueur (rye-based, 23% ABV) and Boston Harbor Maple Cream (rum-based, 15% ABV). The products are sold through the distillery's mercantile and via online and retail partners; direct shipping of spirits from the distillery to consumers is not permitted.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Alcohol | Flavor profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Putnam Whisky | Whisky | Putnam is the name of the distillery's whiskey series, listed as one of the house's core products alongside other Boston-inspired spirits. | Active; Core range | |
| Demon Seed Whisky | Whisky | Demon Seed appears as a named whiskey release in the distillery's range. | Active; Core range | |
| Boston Harbor Coffee Liqueur | Whisky Liqueur; Boston Harbor Cream & Coffee Liqueurs | 23 % | Coffee liqueur based on the distillery's rye whiskey, sweetened with genuine New England maple syrup and made with Autocrat Coffee from Rhode Island. ABV 23%, 750 mL.; Nose: Roasted coffee; Taste: Coffee character with subtle rye spice and sweetness from maple; Finish: Smooth maple finish | Active; Core range; Sold via online shipping partner and retail partners; distillery cannot ship spirits directly to consumers |
| Boston Harbor Maple Cream | Rum Liqueur; Boston Harbor Cream & Coffee Liqueurs | 15 % | Maple cream liqueur made with premium rum, fresh Wisconsin cream and genuine New England maple syrup. ABV 15%, 750 mL. | Active; Core range; Sold via online shipping partner and retail partners; distillery cannot ship spirits directly to consumers |
Whisky Style and Flavor Profile
Three overarching flavor directions appear in product texts and reviews: roasted coffee (described for the coffee liqueur), spicy rye character (associated with rye), and sweetness from New England maple syrup (noted for both the coffee and maple liqueurs). Customer reviews also mention fruity notes such as pear in relation to some products.
Visiting the Distillery
The distillery offers guided tours, VIP tours, tastings, and a Boston Sampler offer. Mercantile is open on weekdays 10–16, and Saturdays 15–20 there are cocktails, VIP tours and tastings in the cocktail lounge. Tours and special tastings require booking, and the venue also hosts live music and can be rented for private events.
The listed hours are Mon–Fri: 10:00–16:00 (mercantile). Sat: 15:00–20:00 (cocktails, VIP-tours & Boston Sampler Tastings). Sun: CLOSED.
See times and book a visit.
Philosophy and Craft
The distillery's stated values include a craft-focused approach and a commitment to using the best ingredients without compromise, formatted as "No compromises and all heart." The core idea is to redefine American spirits with a foundation in Boston history and local ingredients.