BAD Alfred’s Distilling sits on High Street in Chestertown, Maryland, bringing craft spirits to the Eastern Shore in a town that’s seen its share of history since colonial times. Founded by Alfred Montanaro, who traded his corporate career for copper stills and grain bills, the distillery opened its doors in 2018 after years of planning and navigating local regulations. The operation focuses on small-batch bourbon, rye whiskey, and rum, with Montanaro handling much of the production himself in a setup that prioritizes quality over volume. You’ll find the distillery in a converted commercial space that maintains an industrial feel while serving as both production facility and tasting room. The scale here is intimate—this isn’t a massive operation churning out thousands of barrels, but rather a hands-on craft distillery where you can actually meet the person who made your whiskey. Montanaro’s approach centers on traditional methods with modern precision, using locally sourced grains when possible and aging spirits in charred oak barrels that he personally selects. The atmosphere reflects the no-nonsense approach suggested by the name—this is about making good spirits without the pretense, though the ‘BAD’ in the name is actually Montanaro’s initials backward.
