9 Great Rhode Island Distilleries to Visit
Providence, RI. Photo credit Nils Huenerfuerst on Unsplash
Rhode Island has a longstanding thirst for distilled spirits, dating back to the 1600s, when Newport was called the “rum capital of the world.” In fact, by 1769, the state had 22 active distilleries. Bootleggers continued to operate throughout the Ocean State during Prohibition, but distilling didn’t ramp back up until 2006.
Plenty has changed in the intervening years, but what hasn’t is the insatiable appetite for a good cocktail made with the best ingredients. And despite being the smallest state in the nation, Rhode Island has plenty of places to find them, in every corner of the state. If your travels take you there, be sure to check out these top Rhode Island distilleries.
Rhode Island Spirits, Pawtucket
Trying a pour at the Rhode Island Spirits tasting room. Photo credit GoProvidence
Located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island Spirits is a queer-owned distillery influenced by traditional medicine. The lineup includes gin, vodka, and liqueurs, all made in the back room of the micro-distillery, where owner Cathy Plourde infuses them with locally sourced plants. The Forager's Gin is the best way to try it, incorporating elderberry, rose hips and petals, lavender, and fennel. Visitors can come to the distillery bar for a cocktail made with the spirits.
13th Hour Distilling, Westerly
13th Hour Coffee Rum bottles at the distillery. Photo credit 13th Hour Distilling
Following the tradition of early Rhode Island spirits, 13th Hour Distilling crafts rum that would make the original privateers proud. Here, you can sample the unaged white rum, aged rum, and a coffee rum made with Junk & Java's Eclectic House Blend and exotic cocoa from Hauser Chocolatier, which is located in the same building as the distillery.
The Industrious Spirit Company (ISCO), Providence
The Industrious Spirit Company. Photo credit Honey Buns Social
ISCO, as it’s commonly known, was founded by Dan Neff and Manya Rubinstein in 2021 on the former site of Providence Steel and Iron Company. The selection of spirits has earned several awards for its unique flavors, including Li’l Rhody Pizza Strip Vodka, Everything Bagel Aquavit, and Matcha Liqueur. It’s perhaps best known, however, for its Blue Velvet Bourbon, which is made with Mexican blue corn, and the Ostreida Oyster Vodka, which is distilled with real oysters. The Industrial Corridor cocktail bar is the best place to try them all.
Inside the tasting room at Newport Craft. Photo credit Discover Newport
Founded in 1999 as a craft brewery, Newport Craft Brewing and Distilling received the state’s first distilling license since Prohibition in 2006 — the first issued there since 1872. The spirits take inspiration from their surroundings, including the White Squall line of gins and vodkas and the Thomas Tew Single Barrel Rum, named for the “Rhode Island Pirate.” The massive complex, which opened in 2024, has a tasting room, a patio, and a rooftop bar. Newport Craft also offers tours to get a deeper look into the operation.
A house-made cocktail at O'Brien & Brough. Photo credit O'Brien & Brough
O’Brien & Brough opened in 2020, with its tasting room following two years later. The distillery produces gin, vodka, whiskey, and even absinthe, offering classic and house-made cocktails in the tasting room, along with regular classes where visitors can learn to make their own. It sets itself apart from other Rhode Island distilleries by both distilling spirits and blending them, specifically when it comes to the rye and bourbon, to take on additional complexity of flavor.
Sons of Liberty Spirits Co., South Kingstown
Sons of Liberty apple flavored whiskey. Photo credit Sons of Liberty Spirits Co.
Inspired by early American history, Sons of Liberty has won countless awards for its whiskies, vodkas, and gin. Founded by Mike Reppucci over a decade ago, it’s become known for its American single malt whiskey. It’s one of many offerings you can try in the tasting room, along with cocktails. The space hosts live music and food trucks and also offers tours of the facility.
South County Distillers, Westerly
A pour at South County. Photo credit South County Distillers
Ryan Gwozdz and Alan Brinton met while in the craft beer industry, but founded South County Distillers in 2020, which takes its name from the coastal region of the state. The extensive offerings include an agave spirit, a Caribbean-style white rum, a limoncello made in Westerly’s North End, and an espresso martini made with Dave’s Coffee, creators of a popular syrup for making coffee milk.
White Dog Distilling, Pawtucket
A festive shelf of spirits at White Dog’s Pawtucket distillery. Photo credit White Dog Distilling
Named for the white unaged liquor that comes from the still before it’s aged, White Dog Distilling is a micro-distillery founded in 2016 by Carlo and Alecia Catucci. It is known for its small-batch spirits. Set in the historic Lorraine Mills, the distillery attracts visitors for tours, cocktail classes, and spirits tastings. As you’d expect, the distillery has a lineup of moonshine, along with limoncello, rum, and whiskey.
Working Man Distillers, Pawtucket
Bottles available for purchase at Working Man. Photo credit Working Man Distillers
Kelly and John Lendall founded Working Man Distillers after bonding over their shared love of whiskey. It’s the whiskey they’ve become known for, specifically bourbon, rye, and single malt styles. The pet-friendly tasting room is where you’ll find both neat pours and draft cocktails, best enjoyed over live music.