ISCO Spirits operates out of a modest industrial space on Sims Avenue in Providence, Rhode Island’s West Side. Founded by Isaac Kanter, a former engineer who pivoted to distilling after years of homebrewing experimentation, the distillery launched in 2015 as Rhode Island’s first legal distillery since Prohibition. Kanter’s background in mechanical engineering shows throughout the operation – he designed and built much of the equipment himself, including custom fermentation tanks and a hybrid pot-column still system that gives him unusual control over his cuts. The 3,000-square-foot facility produces vodka, gin, and seasonal spirits with plans to age whiskey as licensing allows. The journey to opening wasn’t straightforward. Kanter spent nearly two years navigating Rhode Island’s complex liquor laws and convincing local officials that craft distilling could work in Providence. He started with vodka because it doesn’t require aging, allowing him to generate revenue while perfecting his processes. His engineering mindset shows in everything from the precisely controlled fermentation temperatures to the detailed logs he keeps of every batch. The small team includes Kanter handling production and his business partner managing sales and distribution throughout New England. Visitors find a working distillery where production takes priority over polish. The tasting room feels more like a laboratory than a bar, with stainless steel equipment visible through glass partitions and Kanter often willing to explain the technical aspects of distillation. Tours happen around the production schedule, and you’re likely to see actual distilling in progress rather than just static equipment. The focus stays firmly on the spirits themselves – ISCO’s vodka has earned recognition for its clean profile, while their seasonal gins showcase locally foraged botanicals.