Vermont rum with a Spanish twist. Co-founded by Maura Connolly (who recently stopped by the shop to say hi), Mad River Distillers makes its spirits from scratch in Vermont’s Mad River Valley with a focus on craft, local agriculture and hands-on production. Their Demerara-based rum is aged in toasted and charred barrels before finishing in Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks, bringing layers of dried fruit, toasted nuts and smoky richness. Deep, warming and a little unexpected, it’s a great Vermont-made bottle for sipping slowly or giving a favorite rum cocktail a richer spin.