Powdermen Spirits Company sits on Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury, Connecticut, founded by Rob Schulten and Andy Hidar who opened their doors in 2018. The name pays homage to the Simsbury area’s colonial history as a center for gunpowder manufacturing, when the Hop Brook valley housed mills that produced black powder for the Continental Army. Housed in a converted warehouse space, the distillery produces small-batch vodka, gin, and whiskey using a custom 250-gallon copper pot still from Vendome Copper & Brass Works. What started as a shared passion project between two friends has grown into Connecticut’s tribute to craft distilling, where they focus on creating spirits that reflect both traditional techniques and modern innovation. The operation remains hands-on and intimate, with Schulten and Hidar involved in every aspect from mashing to bottling. Their approach centers on sourcing quality ingredients and taking time with each batch rather than rushing to market, believing that patience creates better spirits.