Award-winning Taste

Hey, Friends! Congratulations to Vermont’s own Smuggler’s Notch Distillery, which was recently designated the #2 Tasting Room in the United States by USA Today. This family-owned business operates several tasting rooms throughout the state, in Jeffersonville, Stowe, Burlington, Waterbury, and right here in Manchester. I had the pleasure of experiencing a tasting recently at the Manchester location, and it was clear to see why these spirits are indeed award-winning. 

Single Barrel Tasting Collection / Manager Chris Restino presents a premium tasting

“I’m incredibly proud of our team for crafting world-class spirits and earning recognition as the #2 tasting room in the United States by USA Today,” shares Jeremy Elliott, SND co-founder. “If you’re visiting Manchester, we’d love to welcome you in and share what makes Smugglers’ Notch Distillery so special.”

I’ve enjoyed Smuggler’s Notch Distillery spirits in the past, but this was my first official tasting experience. Store Manager Chris Restino led me through the delicious and complex flavors of their premium liquors with his impressive knowledge and welcoming demeanor. I was particularly impressed by the Litigation Wheat Whiskey with its sweet notes of caramel and vanilla, but the show stopper for me was the Sea You Again Blended Bourbon, which has a fascinating back story. The bourbon barrels are aged while sailing across the Atlantic Sea, with the waves of the ocean, the sea salt spray, and changing weather patterns creating its own flavor profile. A true marriage of mountain and sea.

“All of our spirits are designed to be savored on their own,” explains Chris. While I've always enjoyed cocktails featuring Smuggler's Notch liquors, tasting them neat truly revealed their exceptional quality and how well they shine all by themselves.

Speaking of shine, the Stowe Sparkle was a delightful surprise with a heartfelt background. Stowe Sparkle is the final spirit created by SND’s father-and-son team, completed before the passing of Jeremy’s father, co-founder Ron Elliott in 2025. The specialty vodka evokes a magical Vermont snowfall and the kind of innovation the brand is known for. It’s a very light vodka, not too overpowering, with edible glitter made from mica. A fun way to spruce up any vodka drink with a little pizazz. I’m not prone to sipping vodka on its own, but this particular vodka is easy on the palette.

I highly recommend stopping into the Smuggler’s Notch Distillery Tasting Room in Manchester. If you’re a whiskey fan, order the Single Barrel Tasting. It’s a delight for your taste buds. See if you can taste all the notes highlighted in the descriptions! And do not pass up an opportunity to try the Tipsy Pickles! All the alcohol is cooked away, so these can be shared with everyone in the family. The depth of flavor they manage to pack into these pickled treats is truly remarkable. The Hot Notch Vodka pickles may be the best pickles I’ve ever eaten.

Learn more about Smuggler’s Notch Distillery.

Read my article on Smuggler’s Notch Distillery in Vermont Magazine Winter ‘24. It includes 2 cocktail recipes!