Smugglers’ Notch Distillery operates their main tasting room on the Waterbury-Stowe Road, right in the heart of Vermont’s craft spirits corridor. Founded by Ron Elliott in 2006, this family operation started as a dream to create authentic Vermont spirits using local ingredients and traditional methods. Elliott, who previously worked in construction, spent years perfecting his recipes before officially opening the distillery. The main production facility sits in Jeffersonville near the famous Smugglers’ Notch ski resort, while this Waterbury tasting room serves as their primary visitor destination. They focus on vodka, gin, and whiskey, all crafted in small batches with attention to Vermont’s agricultural heritage. The tasting room itself occupies a converted space that feels more like a cozy Vermont cabin than a typical retail operation, with exposed wood beams and local artwork covering the walls. What started as Elliott’s personal passion project has grown into one of Vermont’s respected craft distilleries, though they’ve maintained that small-batch, hands-on approach that defined their early days. You’re likely to meet Elliott himself or other family members during your visit, as this remains very much a personal operation where the founders stay involved in day-to-day operations.