A new player in the spirits world, Veritable Distillery, has stepped onto the scene from its home base in Connecticut. This company isn’t just about making drinks—it’s about bringing back the past and letting customers in on every detail. With the launch of its first two products, Ship’s Bell Bourbon and Southwick’s American Gin, Veritable is showing the world what happens when old-school methods meet a modern commitment to honesty and sustainability.
A Taste of 18th-Century New England
Veritable Distillery isn’t chasing trends or cutting corners. Instead, it’s reaching back over 300 years to revive the way spirits were made in New England long ago. The team uses natural ingredients that would’ve been traded and grown in the region back then, steering clear of the industrial chemicals many big-name brands rely on today. This approach gives every bottle a flavor that feels like a sip of history.
For its whiskey, Veritable uses open-top fermentation—a hands-on process that lets the mash breathe and develop naturally. For its gin, the distillery turns to fractional distillation, breaking the process into steps to pull out the best from each ingredient. It’s a mix of art and science that creates drinks with real personality—bold, deep, and unlike anything mass-produced.
Transparency That Sets a New Bar
What really makes Veritable stand out is how open it is with customers. While most distilleries keep their recipes and processes under wraps, Veritable puts it all out there—right on the bottle. Every label lists the ingredients and serving facts, no secrets or fine print. It’s a first for the spirits industry, and it’s shaking things up.
This “radical transparency,” as they call it, isn’t just a gimmick. It’s about trust. Veritable believes people should know exactly what they’re drinking, from the grains in the mash to the botanicals in the gin. By doing this, the distillery hopes to build a stronger connection with its customers, letting them appreciate the craft and care that goes into every drop.
Ship’s Bell Bourbon: A Blend with Roots
One of Veritable’s debut offerings is Ship’s Bell Bourbon, a drink that bridges two worlds. It starts in Kentucky, where it’s distilled and aged for three years in new American white oak barrels. Then, it gets a twist: it’s blended with Veritable’s own American Single Malt Whiskey, made from 100% malted barley and aged in barrels that once held rye whiskey. The result is a smooth, rich bourbon with a unique edge.
The recipe—or mash bill—breaks down to 73% corn, 21% rye, and 6% malted barley. Bottled at 86 proof, it’s strong enough to stand out but easy enough to enjoy however you like it—neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail. It’s a nod to New England’s seafaring past, named after the bells that kept time on ships, and it carries that sense of tradition in every glass.
Southwick’s American Gin: A Rum-Based Revival
Then there’s Southwick’s American Gin, a spirit that throws the rulebook out the window. Most gins start with cheap vodka as their base, but Veritable goes a different route. It uses aged rum instead—a method that dates back nearly 600 years. This choice gives the gin a warm, complex foundation that sets it apart from the crowd.
The distillery crafts Southwick’s in a custom copper pot still, splitting the botanicals into three groups. Each group is handled separately—some are soaked, some are vapor-infused, and all are distilled on their own before being blended together. This careful process makes sure every flavor, from the juniper to the lesser-known herbs, gets its moment to shine. Bottled at 92 proof, it’s a gin with guts, perfect for sipping or mixing into something special.
A Mission Bigger Than Booze
Finneas Pryor, Veritable’s Vice President and Co-Founder, has a clear vision for what the distillery stands for. He’s said it’s all about pushing back against the cookie-cutter spirits churned out by giant corporations. “We created Veritable Distillery to highlight the beauty and complexity of traditional spirits production,” he explained in a recent statement. “By focusing on authenticity, craftsmanship, and community, we provide our customers with a better opportunity for informed consumption.”
For Pryor and the team, it’s not just about making good drinks. It’s about honoring New England’s history and giving people a choice they can feel good about. Ship’s Bell Bourbon and Southwick’s American Gin are the first steps in that mission, blending old-world know-how with a fresh take on what a distillery can be.
Where to Find Veritable’s Spirits
Right now, Veritable Distillery’s products are hitting shelves in select stores across Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York. If you’re not near one of those spots, no worries—you can order online and have Ship’s Bell Bourbon or Southwick’s American Gin delivered straight to your door. It’s a chance to taste something different, something made with care and a story behind it.
Why Veritable Matters
In a world where so many spirits are pumped out fast and cheap, Veritable Distillery is taking the long road. It’s digging into the past to bring back techniques that time forgot, all while setting a new standard for what customers should expect. With its focus on sustainability, ethical practices, and total openness, Veritable isn’t just making bourbon and gin—it’s making a statement.
Whether you’re a whiskey lover, a gin enthusiast, or just someone who likes a good story with their drink, Veritable’s first releases are worth a try. Ship’s Bell Bourbon and Southwick’s American Gin don’t just taste good—they feel good, too, knowing they’re crafted with respect for tradition and the people who drink them.
