Jeremy K.
Yelp
So let me tell you a brief story about how two awesome guys, Spencer and Matt, after a long year of trying to get permits and getting setup, have created what could very well be some of the best spirits that I've ever had. This my friends is the story of GrandTen Distilling, a local distillery that has taken over a space which was previously used to make wires. But that was a long time ago and it is now the home of WIre Works gin and Fire Puncher vodka (and eventually also Medford Rum).
I've been lucky enough to get to know these guys well and have been at the distillery a few times, to hang out and also to sample some of their stuff that's in the works. Spencer, having a background in chemistry, is quite attentive to his new craft and definitely knows his stuff. Paired with his cousin Matt, they are able to not only craft their spirits, but perfect them through lots of trial and error. For example, for their rum, they test-fermented all kinds of different molasses in order to find the best one.
As of right now, the space is limited to the production station and each bottle in meticulously bottled by hand. It's labor intensive but well worth the efforts; being a huge gin fan, theirs is superior to any other, whether it's Bulldog or Hendrinks, or any other. It's far more complex, a lot smoother and way more aromatic. It must be the nine botanicals that went into it.
Their Fire Puncher vodka is very unique and is about to be released and is a very smooth vodka that packs a punch of 'heat and smoke'. Unique and oh so tasty.
Furthermore, their Medford Rum is also in the works and is currently aging in barrels for another year when it should be ready to be bottled.
Oh and did I mention that they are also working on side projects including a very tasty almond liqueur which is still being perfected? Having tasted it, I can only say one thing: I cannot wait to buy it and stock it on my shelves at home.
Some good news, while they are currently in a soft-opening period, they are currently building a tasting room which will also be a storefront for their products and it should all be ready in August. You should, once that opens, make your way there. It is well worth it and will be a memorable experience but in the interim you can find their Wire Works gin at various liquor stores in the Boston area (the distributors are on their website) and a lot more stores will be stocking it shortly as they just signed an agreement with a big distributor. Fire Puncher's on the verge of being released as well and is in the final production and botting stages so stay tuned for that one as well.
But if you want to sample it before trying it, quite a few bars carry GrandTen's gin including Backbar, Deep Ellum, Eastern Standard and quite a few others. Do it, you'll thank me later.