There鈥檚 a reason people loved 聽when it was introduced in 1997. Sure, it made a damn fine martini, but in a sea of 听补苍诲 , it was also one of the few small-batch liquors available. That鈥檚 since changed as looser distribution laws have lowered the bar for microdistilleries to set up shop. 鈥淭hings are starting to snowball,鈥 says Distiller magazine editor . 鈥淭he market has grown 50 percent every year since 2010.鈥
While everybody wants to make a Scotch or a bourbon, focusing on aged spirits isn鈥檛 a smart business move for a startup. 鈥淭hey need to get something into the market to keep the lights on,鈥 says Faulkner. So newer distilleries are creating clear liquors like gin, vodka, white rum and whiskey, and tequila, using high-quality grains, botanicals, fruits, and vegetables. We asked a dozen bartenders for their favorites. These seven came out on top.
- ; Quechee, Vermont; $29*
- ; Brooklyn, New York; $39
- ; Gardiner, New York; $27
- ; Oaxaca, Mexico; $50
- ; Missoula, Montana; $28
- ; Crested Butte, Colorado; $27
- ; Denver, Colorado; $43
*The print version of this article misstated the name of Vermont Spirits. 国产吃瓜黑料 regrets the error.