White Dog Distilling sits on Mineral Spring Avenue in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, marking the state’s entry into the craft distilling scene. Founded by Jim Biondi and Dan Babineau in 2014, this operation grew from a shared passion for creating quality spirits in a state that had been dry on distilleries for decades. The duo spent years navigating Rhode Island’s complex liquor laws and regulations before opening their doors in a converted industrial space that houses their custom copper still and production facility. Biondi brings a background in brewing and fermentation science, while Babineau’s business acumen helped navigate the regulatory maze that came with establishing Rhode Island’s modern distilling industry. Their journey involved working closely with state officials to help craft legislation that would allow craft distilleries to operate and sell directly to consumers. The process took nearly three years from concept to first pour, but they emerged as pioneers in the Ocean State’s spirits renaissance. Today, White Dog focuses on small-batch vodka and gin production, with plans that originally included whiskey aging programs. The facility operates on a smaller scale than many craft distilleries, but that intimate size allows visitors to get close to the actual production process. You’ll find a no-frills approach here – this isn’t a polished visitor center with marble countertops, but rather a working distillery where you can smell the botanicals and hear the still running during production days.