Distillery profile

New England Sweetwater Farm & Distillery

Explore the distillery's history, craft, production, and the distinctive character of its whiskies.

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New England Sweetwater Farm & Distillery

Overview of the Distillery

New England Sweetwater is a family-owned farm & distillery in Winchester, New Hampshire, producing 18 small-batches across five brands. The distillery blends local sourcing with artisanal production and invites guests to "The Sweetwater Experience" — a 90-minute, hands-on tour where you build your own RTD cocktail and taste through the portfolio.

History

The distillery was founded in 2015 by Robert Patton-Spruill with a clear ambition for quality over mass production. In 2022 the next generation — sisters Alisa Lawrence and Nilaja Young together with their husbands Karl Lawrence and Kenny Young — took over operations and carried the mission forward with an increased focus on RTD products and the experiential aspect. Under the new leadership, Sweetwater has expanded its product lineup, strengthened ties with local farmers, and received both regional and national recognition, including awards at San Francisco competitions and repeated local accolades from the Keene Sentinel.

Raw Materials and Production

New England Sweetwater works with ingredients sourced from regional farms: malted barley for single malt, a classic grain blend for bourbon (corn/rye/malted barley), and local fruits and vegetables for their vodka and gin bases. The distillery features copper pot stills on the tour and employs various distillation methods: double distillation for their single malt and triple distillation for Ashuelot vodka. Gin and cucumber vodka are produced with vapor infusion of botanicals, rum and spiced variants are made by maceration, and some whiskies undergo solera aging in ex-bourbon barrels. Production takes place in small batches, and each bottle is hand-labeled before sale.

Aging and Barrel Types

The aging phase ranges from American oak barrels and ex-bourbon barrels; American Single Malt uses a solera process in ex-bourbon barrels, while the commemorative bourbon is aged in 53-gallon American oak barrels. Rum and moonshine are often finished in barrels to achieve a rounder profile. The distillery’s practice also includes experiments such as infusion and maceration techniques (e.g., cacao for Chocolate Whiskey and spice maceration for spiced variants) rather than unusual barrel finishes.

Whiskies

The whisky portfolio is housed under Clark & Chesterfield and consists of five expressions: Maple Whiskey, Honey Whiskey, American Single Malt, a commemorative bourbon, and Chocolate Whiskey. The range includes both readily available, everyday drinks and more limited releases; several bottle editions are 750 ml, and some editions are only available through the distillery's NH store or tasting room.

Whisky Type / Series Alcohol Cask and Style Flavor Profile Status
Clark & Chesterfield Maple Whiskey Maple Whiskey 30 % American oak barrel A whiskey where real New Hampshire maple syrup is integrated into a high-rye bourbon base; marketed as an everyday drink and cocktail ingredient. Nose: Roasted maple and warm sweetness come forward clearly. Taste: Built on a high-rye bourbon base with obvious caramel- and maple-syrup notes. Finish: Warm, rounded, and not overly sticky. Current; Core range; Available via NH direct store; international sales through distributed ordering channel (BottleNexus)
Clark & Chesterfield Honey Whiskey Honey Whiskey A blend of local New England wildflower honey into a premium bourbon base for a mild, soft, and approachable whiskey. Nose: Soft, light floral honey scent; Taste: Silky-smooth sweetness from New England wildflower honey; Finish: Soft and approachable Current; Core range
Clark & Chesterfield American Single Malt Whiskey American Single Malt 40 % Ex-bourbon barrels (solera-aged); finish: Solera-aging Double distilled from 100% malted barley and solera-aged in ex-bourbon barrels. Positioned as a serious choice for malt enthusiasts. Nose: Bold malt tones with grain character; Taste: Layered malt profile and a mid-palate with balance; Finish: Long and composed Limited; Core range; Only available to New Hampshire residents via NH direct store and tasting room
Clark & Chesterfield Bourbon Bourbon 30 % 53-gallon American oak barrels A commemorative bourbon created to mark the distillery's first year: a blended grain mix and aged in 53-gallon American oak barrels. Taste: Distilled from 70% corn, 25% rye and 5% malted barley; designed to deliver warmth and depth Limited; Core range; Only NH direct store and tasting room
Clark & Chesterfield Chocolate Whiskey Flavoured Whiskey (chocolate infusion) Aged bourbon, slowly married with real cacao nibs for a semi-sweet chocolate experience where the whiskey still plays the lead. Nose: Aroma of cacao with the underlying bourbon; Taste: Aged bourbon paired with infusion of real cacao nibs; Finish: Semi-sweet chocolatey finish that does not overpower the whiskey Current; Core range; Only NH direct store and tasting room

The Whisky Styles and Flavor Profiles

The styles range from pronounced maple sweetness and caramel notes in Maple Whiskey to a floral, silky honey character in Honey Whiskey. The American Single Malt is described with bold malt notes and a layered mid-palate, while Chocolate Whiskey results from an infusion with cacao nibs, adding a semi-sweet chocolate note without overpowering the whiskey base. Taken together, the grain’s malt character is complemented by sweeter, local ingredients and selective use of spices.

Visiting the Distillery

The distillery offers "The Sweetwater Experience": a 90-minute tour, a hands-on session where you blend and bottle an RTD cocktail with your own label, and a guided tasting of six selected spirits. The experience costs $75 per person, with a 5% discount for groups of four or more. The tasting room is open Wednesday to Saturday from 12:00–18:00 and Sunday from 12:00–17:00; Monday and Tuesday closed. Some whiskies are only available when visiting the NH store or tasting room.

The stated opening hours are Wed–Sat: 12:00–18:00, Sun: 12:00–17:00, Mon–Tue: Closed (hours may vary).

Philosophy and Craftsmanship

The distillery’s values are local rootedness, uncompromising craftsmanship, and family first. They emphasize using ingredients from New England farms, small-batch production, and hand-labeling as core principles, and are deliberately building a generational family business.

Awards and Recognitions

  • Silver Medal (2024, Silver, Clark & Chesterfield Maple Whiskey)

  • Silver Medal (2024, Silver, Clark & Chesterfield American Single Malt Whiskey)

  • Gold Medal (2024, Gold, Sweetwater Libations Rum Punch)

  • Gold — Best Distillery (2024, Gold)

  • Gold — Best Distillery (2023, Gold)

  • Gold — Best Local Distillery (2022, Gold)