Claremont Distillery sits on Route 94 in Hardyston, New Jersey, where founder Kevin Norder turned his passion for craft spirits into reality in 2014. After years in corporate America, Norder decided to follow his dream of creating premium small-batch spirits, converting a former industrial building into a working distillery that produces bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka. The facility combines modern distillation equipment with traditional aging methods, creating a space where visitors can watch the entire production process from grain to glass. The journey wasn’t easy – Norder spent years navigating New Jersey’s complex distillery licensing requirements and building out the production facility from scratch. He installed a custom-built copper still system and dedicated significant space to barrel aging, understanding that quality whiskey requires patience. The distillery focuses on using locally sourced grains when possible and follows traditional mash bill recipes that emphasize flavor over volume. Today, Claremont operates as both a production facility and tasting room, offering visitors the chance to sample spirits directly from the source. The atmosphere is industrial yet welcoming, with exposed beams and concrete floors that showcase the working nature of the operation. You’ll find Norder or his team often on-site, eager to discuss their distillation process and the challenges of building a craft distillery in New Jersey’s competitive spirits landscape.