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Boston Globe
27-05-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
What's really in your vodka? A new distillery in Connecticut is pushing for transparency in booze.
Bailey Pryor is now the founder and chief executive officer of Related : Advertisement While living off of Sunset Boulevard, Finneas Pryor was working in the music industry in Los Angeles when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world. He returned home to the Connecticut shoreline, and started tinkering in an old warehouse his family owned that had a single still. He wanted to test out new products and use the space as a 'mad science lab.' Instead, it became its own business – with no financial ties to McCoy. Advertisement Finneas Pryor is the co-founder and vice president of Veritable Distillery in Stonington, Connecticut. Courtesy of Veritable Distillery Finneas Pryor officially debuted Veritable earlier this year, focusing on spirits using ingredients that were available and commonly traded in New England more than 300 years ago. And, like his father, he's looking to lead the industry by voluntarily disclosing ingredients and serving facts directly on the bottles. Consumers should know, he said, if producers are adding sweeteners, chemical suspension agents, preservatives, sulfites, or other additives to their products. 'Times change. It's not enough anymore to say natural flavors and no additives,' said 'Theres a nutritional label on a bottle of water, with zeros running down the side. But, we can't know what's in our hard cider,' Warrener added. 'I don't know why many corporations fight so hard to prevent consumers from knowing what they are consuming. The corporations that [are transparent] are thriving.' The Ship Bell's Bourbon from Veritable Distillery. Courtesy of Veritable Distillery Indeed, many larger corporations have pushed against the movement to list ingredients on their bottles. But Animal-based clarifying agents are also often added to industrially-made distilled liquor brands. 'There's a lot of vegetarians and vegans across the country who are drinking animal products and have no idea,' Finneas Pryor said. Advertisement Veritable first launched with Ship Bell's Bourbon and Southwick's American Gin. Their bourbon is developed in collaboration with 'The idea with [the bourbon] and our other releases now are they're all the middle-ground of being easy drinking, but will hold up well with cocktails,' said Finneas Pryor. 'With that being 43 percent [alcohol] you still get a little bit of the heat you expect from bourbon and corn, but it's easier drinking because of the higher amount of malt.' Juniper berries at the distillery. Courtesy of Veritable Distillery Unlike conventional gins that are mass produced and use inexpensive vodka as the base spirit, Finneas Pryor said they use aged rum as a base, which is a practice that dates back nearly 600 years. It's distilled in a custom-designed copper pot still. Three separate 'factional' groups of botanicals are prepared and distilled individually before they are blended together. Their gin is a true representation of everything they're trying to do at Veritable, he said, which is 'really traditional and natural production methods.' Their coffee liqueur is produced in small batches, using espresso beans from Mystic-based Advertisement 'Coffee was always my true north,' said Jonathan Lambert, who said Veritable purchases about 80 pounds of coffee every three months. For a small roaster with just three employees – including him and his wife – 'that's a lot from one customer.' An array of products from Veritable Distillery. Courtesy of Veritable Distillery Veritable's coffee liqueur smells of chocolate-covered cherries and toffee. On the back of the bottle, they list all four ingredients it takes to produce it: Cane spirit, decaf espresso beans, cocoa powder, and sugar. They also have a limoncello, which has a five-week maceration period, a tart taste and a warm lingering finish. The ingredients are simple: water, cane spirit, organic lemon rinds, and sugar. 'When we look back to the old school styles of most of these spirits and how they were produced hundreds of years ago, that's what we're trying to do,' said Finneas Pryor. 'Sure, it takes a bit longer, you can't make massive amounts of it. But this is all non-industrial.' Thanks for reading The Food Club. ✍️ This newsletter is written and produced by ✉️ Send comments, suggestions, and story tips to 📧 Did someone forward this newsletter to you? 📱 Delivered every Thursday. Alexa Gagosz can be reached at
Forbes
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Mother's Day Gifts 2025: Unique Botanical Spirits for Mom
Skip flowers, gift your mom a gorgeous botanical sipper instead. For your Mother's Day gift this year, skip the short-lived bouquet and surprise her with something she can sip and savor: a floral-inspired tipple that's just as pretty—and lasts a whole lot longer. From the vibrant purple hue of UME plum liqueur to uniquely crafted botanical-forward gins from across the U.S., or the stunning Sicilian Donnafugata Bell'Assai wine with its artful label, these bottles are bursting with blooms in every sense. Whether she's into bottled cocktails, elegant bubbles, or mindful zero-proof options, these picks are the ultimate gift-that-keeps-giving—beautiful on the outside, unforgettable on the inside. Let's a toast to mother figures of all kinds—be it pet moms, stepmoms, caregivers, aunties, grandmothers, teachers, or spiritual mentors—one floral-inspired pour at a time. Here are just a few of the amazing Mother's Day gifts ideas for the mom who enjoys lining her bar cart with craft spirits: Still Austin American Gin hails from Austin, Texas. This isn't just a gin—it's an experience for the mom who reads ingredient labels, walks the farmer's market like a runway, and always knows which herb pairs best with dinner. Still Austin's 'The Naturalist' American Gin is the gift she didn't know she needed. Distilled in small batches from Texas-grown grains (Brasetto rye and non-GMO white corn) and layered with 12 botanicals, it's complex, spicy-floral, and balanced. Expect delicate elderflower, grounding orris root, warming cassia cinnamon, and a whisper of Jamaican allspice—a flavor profile as adventurous and grounded as she is. Wrap it up with a sprig of rosemary and call it a day. Order from the distillery's online store. Tamworth Garden White Mountain Gin distilled in New Hampshire. Tamworth Distilling's Garden White Mountain Gin is a classic gin wrapped in a bottle with the prettiest botanical artwork you've ever seen. (In fact, many of the distillery's garden line of spirits has stunning floral bottle art). This small-batch beauty was just named New Hampshire Spirit of the Year, and it's easy to taste why: think traditional gin notes with a citrusy, piney twist thanks to locally sourced hops. It's bright, crisp, and a little wild—like a hike through a sunny forest, but with cocktails at the end. Whether Mom's a G&T kinda gal or likes a martini, this gin delivers versatility. Although not found in big box liquor stores, Tamworth ships to 38 other states. Hoste bottled martini is so top-notch, it's almost like your favorite barkeep made it! She works hard—so this Mother's Day, give her a martini she doesn't even have to make. Hoste Cocktails' The Martini—crafted by legendary mixologist Julia Momosé and owner of Bar Kumiko in Chicago—is a floral, seasonal twist on the classic that's bottled, beautiful, and ready to pour. Inspired by the shifting seasons in Japan, this bright, botanical-forward cocktail is elegance in liquid form—no shaker or stirring required. But there is fancy spritz bottle of yuzu essence for a finishing touch. Bonus points: the bottle and gift box are absolute stunners, dressed in floral artwork that looks as good as the drink tastes. For the mom who appreciates a chic cocktail moment without the effort? This is her love language. Pinkies up. Earl Grey-infused gin distilled in Colorado. If Mom's love language is Earl Grey at golden hour, Juniper Jones Earl Grey Gin from The Family Jones is a dream pour. Distilled in Denver, Colorado from local grains, it's aged in bourbon barrels seasoned with actual Earl Grey tea leaves (how cool is that?), giving it cozy layers of bergamot, lavender, chamomile, and rose hips. Basically, it's like her favorite tea got all dressed up for cocktail hour. Smooth, floral, and just a little unexpected, it's the perfect sip for the mom who appreciates a sophisticated G&T and a good cuppa. Pinkies up. Cherry Blossom Liqueur is made with fresh cherry blossoms in Portland Oregon. Freeland Spirits' seasonal Cherry Blossom Liqueur is back—and just in time to toast Mom with something as lovely (and fleeting) as spring itself. Made with real cherry blossoms hand-picked from the Portland Japanese Garden, this pretty-in-pink limited-edition liqueur is floral, a little spicy (thanks, cinnamon bark), and sweet in all the right ways. 'The gardeners collect the blossoms as they fall and our distillers immediately distill them on our vacuum still, which preserves their fresh, delicate flavor,' explains Freeland Spirits founder, Jill Kuehler. 'It's a celebration of spring in a bottle!' It's basically the season's first spring day—bottled and ready to sip. Whether Mom stirs it into a spritz, shakes it into a cocktail, or just proudly displays it on the bar cart (it's a stunner), this gift is guaranteed to blossom. Pick up a bottle at their tasting room in northwest Portland or order to ship from the Freeland Spirits online store. The gift box set features almost 100 blooms chosen by artist Azuma Makoto which represent the aromas ... More found in the whiskey. Elevate your Mother's Day gifting with the Glenmorangie 18 Years Azuma Makoto Limited Edition, a stunning collaboration between world-class whiskey craftsmanship and floral artistry. Aged in American white oak for 15 years with a portion of it aged in Spanish sherry casks for three years, this rare single malt is layered with notes of dried fruit, honey, chocolate, and subtle spice. What makes it even more special? Its limited-edition packaging, featuring an exquisite design by renowned Japanese floral artist Azuma Makoto—a tribute to beauty, patience, and precision. Grab a bottle while you still can from select online rare liquor retailers. What's not to love about a purple cocktail? This Mother's Day, skip the usual and treat her to something totally unexpected: UME Plum Liqueur. Female-founded and refreshingly different, UME Plum Liqueur is a first-of-its-kind spirit that brings serious purple power to the bar cart. With a juicy blend of plum, dark cherry, green apple, and grape—plus half the sugar of most liqueurs—it's as delicious as it is mindful.. Sip it straight over ice or mix it with anything from vodka to whiskey—UME plays well with everyone. Basically, it's the liqueur equivalent of a cool, effortlessly stylish friend. And if Mom is an adventurous spirit that likes trying new sips, UME's the move. It's available at many Total Wine & More stores or you can order it from their shop online. For an agave spirit adventure, try Kilinga Bacanora. If Mom's a fan of tequila, introducing her to Kilinga Bacanora is like opening the door to a whole new world of agave spirits. Handcrafted in Álamos, Sonora, by a single-estate, family-owned distillery, Kilinga brings the rich, smoky heritage of Bacanora—a spirit enjoyed in northern Mexico for over 300 years—to the U.S. for the very first time. Made from agave angustifolia grown in the rugged Sonoran terrain, each of Kilinga's four expressions is rooted in terroir and tradition, from the bright Silvestre to the deeply aged Añejo. The brand itself is a tribute to founder Rodrigo Bojorquez Bours' mother, La Señora Kilinga, whose spirit and strength inspired the line. And the gorgeous, desert-inspired labels are as gift-worthy as what's inside—each bottle numbered, signed, and rich with the story of the land and people behind it. For the mom who appreciates depth, craft, and a little adventure in her glass, Kilinga is a perfect pour. Beautiful labels, beautiful wine from Sicilian winemaker Donnafugata. Donnafugata's Bell'Assai Frappato is the perfect sip for the mom who appreciates beauty in every detail—especially what's in her glass. Hailing from southeastern Sicily, this ruby-red stunner bursts with floral notes of freesia and lavender, layered over juicy hints of strawberry and cherry. It's fresh, vibrant, and just the right amount of unexpected—kind of like Mom herself. And here's the best part: long before label art became a thing, Gabriella Rallo—Donnafugata's co-founder and matriarch—began pioneering Donnafugata's now-iconic artistic labels in the 1980s. That said, Donnafugata Floramundi also has a feminine-meets-floral gorgeous wine label perfect for Mom. So yes, the bottles look as gorgeous as the wine tastes. Pair it with grilled veggies, salumi, or just a little quiet time, and you've got a Mother's Day gift that's as thoughtful as it is delicious. Wine available at select stores in the U.S. or via Pretty in pink: Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Rosé champagne. A limited edition, Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Rosé is in a beautifully designed bottle inspired by spring's first bloom, making it a standout on your brunch spread for Mom. The champagne has notes of wild strawberries, red currants, and a touch of pink grapefruit. Light, refined, and well-balanced, it pairs well with a variety of foods—from fresh seafood to fruit-forward desserts. If you're mom loves spritzes, she's going to love this in her bubbly! Treat Mom to a sip of la dolce vita with Amaro Santoni, a beautifully crafted ruby-red Italian aperitivo made with 34 botanicals. Inspired by the lively spirit of Florence and bottled in a design that echoes the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, it's as much a visual delight as it is a flavor-forward favorite. Notes of citrus and herbs make it a standout for spritzes, served simply with Prosecco and a slice of orange. Topped with a soft pink cap and adorned in dreamy florals, this bottle looks like it came straight from a Tuscan garden. For the mom who adores Italy—or just loves a really good spritz—this one's a gift-worthy gem. Find it at independent liquor stores. Abstinence has an entire line of non-alcoholic sips for Mom. It's a bright, zesty non-alcoholic spirit that's basically sunshine in a glass. 'What makes them stand out is their South African roots, and unique flavors,' says Bobbie Malatesta, owner of 3-21 No Kiddin', a Connecticut-based brick-and-mortar store and online shop for nonalcoholic and functional beverages. Speaking of unique flavors, Abstinence Cape Citrus is made with cool-sounding things like buchu and fynbos (trust me, she'll love dropping those words into conversation if she's a foodie). And it's totally sugar-free and calorie-free. The bottle's a stunner too—gorgeous floral art that looks just as good on a bar cart as it does in her hand. They offer plenty of other unique N/A sips as well, like a riff on Aperol. Plus, you can grab a bottle on Amazon (hint: fast shipping in case you're a last minute gift buyer like I am!) Seedlip Garden 108 is a great N/A alternative for any gin-based cocktail. If Mom's skipping the booze but still wants something chic in her glass, Seedlip Garden 108 is the perfect pour. From the world's number one selling non-alcoholic spirit brand and the OG pioneer of the N/A movement, this botanical beauty captures the essence of an English garden—think fresh peas, a hint of hay, and a bouquet of herbs like spearmint, rosemary, and thyme. It's light, herbal, and perfect for crafting refreshing mocktails that feel anything but boring. And with a bottle this pretty, wrapped in botanical artwork, it's the ultimate alcohol-free gift that still feels like a celebration. Need more inspiration? Check out these Mother's Day Gift guides:
