Not complicated. unconventional.
Hardshore Distilling Company is a different kind of distillery. We don't obsess about what the other guys and girls are doing. We obsess about what they're not doing. We are only interested in making spirits that have a purpose on the bar shelf, not just imitating the greats who have already earned their place there. We are constantly trying to coax new tastes and textures out of anything we can fit in our stills (and with a 1,200-liter Arnold Holstein still, we can fit a lot). We almost never rule anything out before we've attempted to distill it at least once. Sometimes once is clearly enough. Other times, a change in technique with the same botanical can produce a very different result.
In 2016, after nearly four years of tinkering and tweaking, we released our flagship product, Hardshore Original Gin. This lovely gin is thoughtfully crafted from our family-grown grain and is brimming with fresh rosemary and green mint. It is purposefully designed to expand how we think about gin and I'm certain that it will surprise you.
While making exceptional gin is our passion, we also strive to do our part to conserve the natural wonders of Maine that make Hardshore so unique. Our water comes straight to us from Sebago Lake, and is so clean that we don't require the use of reverse osmosis to purify our water. This helps us use up to 30% less water than other facilities of a similar size. It's a small step, but it's in the right direction. Join us!
Hardshore Original GIN
92 proof (46% ABV)
Our flagship spirit, Hardshore Original Gin, is a surprisingly complex gin despite being made with only five botanicals. It is bright and distinctive with leafy notes of fresh rosemary and mint upfront, supported by orris root (iris), coriander and, of course, bold Tuscan juniper. The neutral base is hand-crafted from grain grown on our founder's family farm and provides a smooth, full mouthfeel which allows the gin's distinctive flavor to unfold slowly with each sip. It lights up with tonic and makes what we consider, humbly, to be the worlds greatest negroni, but leave it alone with an ice cube for a truly remarkable experience.
Tasting ROOM
Two things we hear a lot when talking to people about gin: 1.)"Eh...you know? I'm just not a big gin fan." and 2.)"I don't really know what to make with gin other than a gin and tonic."
Our tasting room staff pride themselves on illustrating the versatility and breadth of gin. Ginmakers can draw from an endless array of botanicals to create new gin varieties to suit any palate.
The gin and tonic is a beauty of a cocktail, but it's just the tip of the iceberg. We can help anyone discover delicious, simple-to-make cocktails that will delight the senses.