Village Garage Distillery sits right on Depot Street in downtown Bennington, Vermont, housed in what used to be an actual auto garage. Owners Chris and Sherri Rigney transformed this vintage building into a craft distillery that opened in 2019, bringing small-batch spirits production to southern Vermont. They produce bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, and gin using a 250-gallon copper still, keeping production deliberately small to focus on quality over quantity. The Rigneys didn’t start out in the spirits business—Chris worked in construction while Sherri had a background in hospitality—but they’d been home distilling enthusiasts for years before deciding to go professional. The transition from garage mechanics’ workspace to distillery wasn’t just about the name; they kept some of the building’s automotive character while adding the copper and wood elements you’d expect from a whiskey operation. Their approach is hands-on and experimental, with Chris handling most of the distilling while Sherri manages the front of house and tastings. What you’ll find here is a genuinely local operation that feels more like visiting friends who happen to make really good spirits than a polished tourist destination. The space retains some of that garage workshop feel—concrete floors, high ceilings, industrial lighting—but warmed up with barrels and the smell of mash fermenting. They’re focused on building their aged whiskey program, so what’s available changes as barrels reach maturity, but their clear spirits like vodka and gin are available year-round for tastings and bottle sales.