Live Free Distillery
Overview of the Distillery
Live Free Distillery in Manchester, New Hampshire, is a small, locally owned distillery run by André Marcoux. Here small-batch whiskies, corn whiskey, a single malt, as well as moonshine, vodka and rum are produced, and the distillery offers free tastings and tours during their weekend opening hours. Production and equipment are built locally, and many products are tied to New Hampshire ingredients.
History
The history begins when André Marcoux started experimenting with home distillation in the early 2010s. From the first runs under a tarp and a homemade setup, ambition grew, and over time he built more professional equipment in Granite State. Today he owns and runs Live Free Distillery in Manchester, where two stills stand in the production space, and where local roots are highlighted in both raw materials and barrels. The distillery has expanded from simple moonshine experiments to a range that includes unaged corn whiskeys, aged bourbon varieties, and an American single malt, as well as a shop with barrel-aged syrup and sauces.
Raw Materials and Production
The production's raw material base varies by product: corn, malt and rye form the basis for the corn and American whiskies, while the rum production relies on Grade A molasses and brown sugar. The vodka is produced from a blend of corn and malt and is distilled three times — once in a larger still and twice in a smaller still at 190 proof — after which it is filtered by gravity through three different types of activated carbon. Backroads Corn Whiskey is double-distilled and bottled at 92 proof. The production equipment is largely built locally, and the distillery's approach includes traditional and local adaptations such as the use of local ingredients and their own, hand-built facilities.
Maturation and Barrel Types
Many of the aged expressions rest on selected oak barrels. Back Creek Bourbon uses new American white oak barrels, some of which are even made from New Hampshire White Oak. Kancamagus stores in previously used bourbon barrels, and Farmhouse Single Malt rests for at least two years in heavily charred barrels. For the rum, barrels with heavy toast and light char are used, and the distillery also experiments with barrel-aging syrups and sauces in their shop assortment.
Whiskeys
The range spans from unaged corn whiskeys and flavored whiskey blends to aged bourbons, an American single malt, and a wheat whiskey. The Core range includes Backroads Corn Whiskey (unaged), Back Creek Bourbon and Kancamagus American Whiskey as well as White Beard Wheat Whiskey and Farmhouse Single Malt. In addition, flavored variants such as maple and honey are offered, and the distillery also produces moonshine, vodka and rum as well as barrel-aged foods for sale in the shop.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Age | Barrel and Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backroads Corn Whiskey | Corn whiskey (unaged) | New American white oak | A non-aged whiskey made from a blend of corn, malt and rye. It is double-distilled and bottled at 92 proof.; Flavor: described as with a bit of heat and a smooth finish | ||
| Backroads Maple Flavored Whiskey | Flavored whiskey (maple) | Backroads Corn Whiskey blended with real New Hampshire maple syrup for a sweet, yet still whiskey-bite character. | |||
| Backroads Honey Flavored Whiskey | Flavored whiskey (honey) | Backroads Corn Whiskey blended and sweetened with real New Hampshire honey; balanced so it doesn't become too sweet. | |||
| Back Creek Bourbon Whiskey | Bourbon | New American white oak | Back Creek Bourbon is Backroads Corn Whiskey aged in new American white oak barrels. The production is small, and availability is limited.; Nose: vanilla is highlighted; Flavor: honey- and vanilla-tones noted as prominent | Limited | |
| Kancamagus American Whiskey | American whiskey | Once-used bourbon barrels | A 'little brother' to Back Creek Bourbon with a similar grain bill, adjusted percentages and aging in previously used bourbon barrels, plus a special treatment before barrel aging. | ||
| White Beard Wheat Whiskey | Wheat whiskey | A non-traditional wheat whiskey with a heavier, earthy character that lingers on the palate.; Nose: described as 'earthy' with associations to 'old barn' — a stronger, non-traditional profile | |||
| Farmhouse Single Malt Whiskey | Single Malt | At least 2 years | Heavily charred barrels | The distillery's 'American single malt' chosen for a crisper and cleaner grain selection; aged at least two years in heavily charred barrels. |
Whiskeys' Style and Flavor Profile
The overall flavor impression ranges from sweeter vanilla and honey notes in the aged bourbon expressions to earthy, 'old barn' character in White Beard Wheat Whiskey, and a noticeable heat in the younger corn whiskeys. Some products are described as bourbon-like due to the choice of barrels. These directions recur across several products and give a picture of a place that works with both sweetness and earthy character.
Visit the Distillery
Live Free Distillery offers free tastings and tours and runs a shop with products such as barrel-aged maple syrup, hot sauce, and soy sauce. The opening hours listed are Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00; weekdays are listed as closed. Visitors can purchase items in the shop and participate in tastings during the advertised hours.
The stated hours are Mon–Fri: Closed; Saturday: 10:00–19:00; Sunday: 10:00–19:00.
Philosophy and Craftsmanship
The distillery's values are rooted in local production and small-batch: 'New Hampshire made', 'small batch' and 'craft spirits' are used as key concepts. Equipment and many elements of production are built in the Granite State, and the owner emphasizes pride in his roots in Manchester.