The Northern Maine Distilling Company sits in an industrial stretch of Brewer, Maine, just across the Penobscot River from Bangor. Founded in 2015 by Josh Doughten and Ryan Hennessey, two Maine natives who left corporate careers to chase their distilling dreams, this small-batch operation produces rum, gin, and vodka in a converted warehouse space. The distillery started as a weekend project between friends who were homebrewing and experimenting with distillation, eventually growing into Maine’s first rum-focused craft distillery. Doughten, who worked in marketing, and Hennessey, an engineer, spent two years perfecting their recipes and navigating Maine’s licensing requirements before opening their doors. They installed a 350-gallon copper still system and focused on creating spirits that reflect Maine’s character – particularly their signature rum made with Maine maple syrup and local ingredients. The operation remains deliberately small, with the founders handling most of the production themselves alongside a small team of part-time helpers. Visitors find a working distillery that prioritizes production over polish. The tasting room occupies one corner of the warehouse space, where you can sample their spirits while watching the distillation process happen just feet away. The atmosphere is unpretentious and educational, with Doughten or Hennessey often personally leading tastings and explaining their process. You’re tasting spirits from people who can tell you exactly how each batch was made because they made it themselves.