Rum the Pine Tree State
Maine, in the northeast US, is a nature lover’s paradise with an enduring rum history. Despite rum riots and temperance movements, the state remains a beacon for rum distilling and its culture. While Maine’s rugged coastline, remote forests, and cool climate are not suited for sugarcane, rum’s history here is both fascinating and deeply rooted. With 90% of Maine covered in forest, including 32 state parks and Acadia National Park, its indisputable crown jewel, the state’s natural beauty provides a striking backdrop to its rich rum heritage.
The history of rum production in Maine dates back to the colonial era when rum was a key part of New England’s economy. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Maine, along with the rest of New England, played a role in the triangular trade, importing molasses from the Caribbean to distill into rum. Coastal towns like Portland and Bath were hubs for shipbuilding and maritime trade, which enabled the import of molasses and the export of finished rum.
Portland was particularly prolific in rum production, with as many as 20 rum distilleries operating by 1850 in a city of only 10,000 people. Despite (or perhaps because of) robust rum production and consumption, Maine was also prominent in the early temperance movement, becoming the first state to enact prohibition in 1851. The ban on “demon rum” ultimately led to the Portland Rum Riot on June 2, 1855. The early ban stifled local distilleries, and legal rum production all but disappeared for over a century. Later, during Prohibition, Maine’s strategic location made it a smuggling hub for Canadian rum, facilitating rum-running and bootlegging operations to major East Coast cities like Boston and New York.
Distilling in Maine began a resurgence in the early 21st century, paving the way for a renewed interest in local spirits. Since 2011, Maine has recognised small distillery licensing, and in 2018, it became legal to sell Maine-made alcohol samples at farmers’ markets. A New England rum adventure is not complete without visiting Maine. This epic road trip travels from north to south, showcasing Maine’s rum revivalists.
Downeast & North Maine
This region features the state’s highest peak, Mount Katahdin, the Appalachian Trail terminus, and the stunning Acadia National Park. Etna has remote inland forests, while Gouldsboro lies along the Downeast coast, well known for its lobster fishing industry. Quoddy Head State Park is the continental US’s most easterly point; the continental climate has cold winters mild summers and frequent fog.
Mossy Ledge Spirits
Jesse Lupo and his wife Kasey began building their distillery in 2016 and officially opened in 2018. Jesse began around 15 years earlier inspired by the moonshine chapter of the Appalachian culture The Foxfire Book, he made his own style of stills and distillery equipment – then sold them across the country as Trident Stills. Named Mossy Ledge because Maine is known for its moss and their town Etna, is known for its ledges. They produce vodka, gin, apple brandy, cordials, whiskey and rum – there are now more than 20 spirits in the line-up. They tried making a white rum but it was too strong in flavour, so made it into dark rum.
Mossy Ledge Dark Rum is a full-flavoured 90-proof rum made from blackstrap molasses and cane sugar. Mossy Ledge Spiced Rum is proofed to 80 and spiced with cinnamon sticks, dried clove, vanilla bean paste, dark brown sugar and fresh ginger. They take pride in being environmentally friendly, the tasting room and mobile bar for events are 100% solar-powered. Beyond tastings, they offer pizza and drinks, overnight accommodations via Harvest Hosts, and an on-site Airbnb for future stays.
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Bartlett Maine Estate Winery and Distillery
Located in Gouldsboro, Bartlett Maine was established as a winery first and then expanded to distilling. In 1975, owners Bob and Kathe Bartlett brought their passion and wine-making to this part of Maine. They started distilling Pear Eau de Vie and Apple Brandy in 2007. Then launched their Rusticator Rum in 2013. The Bartlett family makes Rusticator Rum using organic molasses sourced from South America. Rusticator Rum is distilled in a German-made copper pot still and aged for two years in French oak barrels. The “Rusticator” name pays homage to late 19th-century city dwellers who sought refuge in Maine’s cooler climate. Interestingly, the name is also connected to a restored 1929 Hacker triple cockpit runabout boat, reflecting the owner’s passion for restoration and Maine’s history.
You can visit Bartlett can enjoy a comprehensive estate experience. Tours and tastings are available, allowing guests to sample their wines and spirits within the scenic Maine landscape. The winery and distillery feature a tasting room and retail shop. Bartlett products are available for purchase on-site and are distributed throughout Maine.
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Midcoast Maine
A region of scenic coastline, peninsulas, and historic maritime heritage, famous for its fresh seafood including lobster, clams, and scallops. Picturesque harbours and islands dot a landscape of rolling hills and forests, with access to Penobscot Bay. Visitors will experience the North Atlantic Ocean’s cool winters and mild summers (coastal fog is common). Must-see attractions include Camden Hills State Park, with its panoramic views, and numerous historic lighthouses.
Barren’s Distillery
Blue Barren Distillery in Camden opened its first location in 2019. The distillery moved to the north side of Camden Harbour in the summer of 2022. Owners, Andrew Stewart and Jeremy Howard returned to Camden once the Lyman-Morse marina had been rebuilt after a fire. The small distillery produces spirits in limited quantities. Barren’s White Rum is made from high-grade molasses and is double distilled to bring through classic rum character and a more interesting base for mixing. Distilled in small batches and rested by the harbour before bottling. Barren’s Spiced Rum combines traditional exotic spices with locally sourced Maine ingredients. This also is distilled in small batches and rested by the harbour before bottling. The tasting room and restaurant are open for the season from May 1st.
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Sweetgrass Farm Winery and Distillery
Near the historically rich town of Union, Keith and Constance Bodine established Sweetgrass Farm Winery and Distillery in 2005. They produce a range of wines and spirits, including their signature Three Crow Rum. The name Three Crow Rum pays tribute to an old-time spice company that once delivered spices to Maine by ship, long before the construction of Route 1. Constance’s grandfather, a Boothbay native, worked on these ships as a young man, transporting spices and essential goods from Boston to Maine’s coastal communities—keeping a vital trade route alive through wind and waves.
Three Crow Rum is made from top-grade cane molasses, sourced from Central America and brought via Canada. Fermented and distilled during the cold Maine winter, the rum is then aged for three or more years in bourbon barrels, allowing it to develop its deep, complex flavours. First produced in 2007 using their traditional copper alembic pot still, Three Crow Rum embodies the rich maritime heritage of New England. Their current release of Three Crow Rum is nearly sold out, with the next batch set to debut in 2026.
Visitors can experience Three Crow Rum at their tasting rooms in Union and Portland, Maine, where you can sample the range, learn about the production process, and enjoy craft cocktails featuring Three Crow Rum. You can find Three Crow Rum beyond their tasting rooms, check out their site for locations at stores across Maine.
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Southern Maine
Portland and York’s coastal region features sandy beaches and historic towns, with maritime rum history central to Portland’s economy. The climate is continental maritime, offering warm summers and cool winters. Popular attractions include Portland’s Old Port, known for cobblestone streets and seafood, and York’s beaches, highlighted by Nubble Light, one of the world’s most photographed lighthouses just off the coast.
Camp Pennant Distillery
On Portland’s Old Port waterfront, Pennant Distilling & Brewing, which opened in the summer of 2024, has taken the place of Liquid Riot. Created by the team behind Bramhall and Paper Tiger, Camp Pennant draws inspiration from nostalgic Maine summers. The Camp Pennant name, references flags used to identify groups or celebrate the outdoors, hence flags in the bar’s decor. Pennant Distilling produces a variety of spirits including Pennant Rum, a Solera-aged blend crafted from a mix of Blackstrap molasses, light molasses, cane juice, and a touch of brown sugar. This rum is a blend of Liquid Riot Dow’s Demise and Portland Rum Riot Rum, now under the direction of the Liquid Riot owner, and aged in used whiskey barrels. The Solera blend is over 6 years old now.
Camp Pennant is open year-round and is a lively waterfront place featuring live music, trivia nights, and an outdoor seating area overlooking the Old Port’s working waterfront. Their craft cocktail menu highlights Pennant Rum and draft Pennant beers with seasonal exclusives only available on-site. Fresh Maine seafood and wood-fired main courses complete the dining experience. Pennant Rum is available at good establishments across the state.
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New England Distilling Co.
15 mins away from Portland New England Distilling Co was founded by Ned Wight in 2011. Eight Bells Rum is named for the nautical midpoint of a ship’s watch, marked by eight bells, and represents a well-rounded spirit made to be savoured. The rum is produced using Caribbean-sourced molasses and distilled in direct-fire pot stills (natural gas). It’s then barrel-aged for over 3 years in bourbon whiskey barrels, resulting in a distinct, robust flavour. They make rye whiskey, bourbon, gin & rum, and have public tours & tastings. You can visit the distillery’s guided tours Monday – Friday between 1pm – 4 pm where you’ll discover insights into the distillation and ageing processes. The on-site tasting room is where you can sample their range of spirits, including the renowned Eight Bells Rum. The distillery also has a shop where visitors can pick up a bottle. Beyond the tasting room’s inviting atmosphere, Eight Bells Rum is widely available throughout Maine
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Maine Craft Distilling
Founded in 2012 by Luke Davidson, is a distillery in Portland. They produce a range of spirits, including their distinctive Ration Expedition Style Rum and Queequeg Spiced Rum. Ration Rum, reflecting the maritime tradition of the Ration, a small portion of spirit doled out daily. It’s made in small batches using copper pot stills and matured in white oak barrels. Queequeg Spiced Rum is named for Melville’s harpooner in Moby Dick and inspired by Maine sailors’ spice discoveries. It’s a blend of spices and fruits to make it a full-flavoured and non-traditional spiced rum.
The distillery has a visitor experience including tours and tastings, giving insights into their distillation processes and the stories behind their spirits. The tasting room lets you sample their range of drinks. Maine Craft Distilling also hosts a Public House, featuring a farm-to-table restaurant, live music, and an on-site store. For the full dining experience along with trying the rum. You can find their rum throughout the state.
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Three of Strong Spirits
Born out of a conversation between two good friends while sipping some rum, Three of Strong Spirits was founded in 2019 by Dave McConnell and Sam Pierce. Three of Strong Spirits is the only rum-centric distillery in Portland, Maine, and is named for the ‘three of strong’ term used in a rum punch recipe. Their award-winning rums, sugarcane-based gins, and a line of ready-to-drink cocktails are all made with natural ingredients. Through it’s Community Spirits program, Three of Strong donates a portion of the proceeds to local non-profits and champions several sustainability initiatives, including using an EV truck for deliveries and transitioning to 100% renewable energy.
With 25 years of experience, Master Distiller Graham Hamblett has been making the spirits since day one. All are double-pot distilled and fermented using champagne yeast with high-quality ingredients, such as organic evaporated sugarcane, organic fancy-grade molasses, and all-natural botanicals and spices. None of the rums contains artificial flavours or colourants, nor do they rely on post-distillation sugaring.
The range features Brightwater Silver Rum, Nightwater Dark Rum, and the unique Agricole-inspired Acadian Rum. Acadian Rum is distilled from cold-pressed Louisiana sugar cane juice and is the only raw cane juice rum produced in New England. Merrymeeting Spiced Rum is named after Merrymeeting Bay, the large freshwater tidal bay in Maine. Merrymeeting Spiced Rum has a unique blend of 11 spices—including fenugreek, cardamom, and Sichuan peppercorn. Three of Strong also has a limited-edition series of barrel-aged spirits only available at the distillery ahead of releasing their first aged rum in stores (coming soon). The distillery has a cocktail bar, snacks, daily tours, and special events such as trivia, happy hours, and more in the thriving East Bayside neighbourhood. If you can’t make it to Portland, they provide direct-to-consumer shipping to over 40 states.
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Wiggly Bridge Distillery
It all started in 2012, sparked by a playful suggestion at a family dinner: “Let’s make our own whisky.” Driven by a shared love of whisky and a fascination with craftsmanship, father and son David and David Woods embarked on a journey of intense research and study. They built their own still and established their distillery in York, Maine. Since then, Wiggly Bridge Distillery has earned multiple awards, including their rum, confirming the Woods family’s creation of something truly special.
At Wiggly Bridge Distillery, the rums come in two distinct expressions: a crisp, vibrant white rum and a barrel-aged rum, aged for 2 to 6 years in freshly emptied bourbon barrels. The rum is made using only high-quality Caribbean molasses, adhering to time-honoured Caribbean techniques. By employing a traditional dunder pit, a method of using residual stillage, and practising low-and-slow fermentations, they maximize ester formation.
The magic continues during distillation in meticulously handcrafted pot stills that they built with their hands, focusing on small batches to ensure every drop reflects their passion for quality. This artisanal approach captures a thick, buttery, high-ester profile—a character that David Woods likens to the flavour-enhancing “fat on a steak.” The result is a rum bursting with rich butterscotch notes and a smooth finish where every sip is as memorable as the first
The distillery visitor experience includes distillery tours, founder’s tours, and an immersive Distiller for a Day experience. They also provide cocktail classes and batch blending experiences. They host various events, creating a lively atmosphere and you can taste and buy the rum on-site.
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In 2023, Dan Davis the respected rum distiller behind Sebago Lake Distillery in Gardiner, sadly passed away. The distillery, known for its popular rum, has since closed, marking a change in the local scene. To stay informed about the evolving Maine rum landscape, check in with our Maine rum map. Brands contribute to our rum guides and maintain their profile page with the latest information. Beyond the distillery tasting rooms already mentioned, here are some other excellent places to sip Maine’s local rum.
Where to Enjoy Rum in Maine
Damariscotta: King Eider’s Pub
Farmington: The Roost
Hallowell: The Maine House
Norway: 290 Maine St
Portland: Central Provisions, Room for Improvement, Luna Rooftop Bar, Cocktail Mary, Bubba’s Sulky Lounge, Bramhall, Blyth & Burrows, Bar of Chocolate, Keg and Kraken, Night Mares
Old Orchard Beach: The Tiki Hut OOB, Brunswick Lounge
Winslow: The Two Cent Pub
Whether it’s Mainekiller at Central Provisions or a Stone Fence Cocktail with Maine-made rum, there’s an experience for all rum lovers here. Read More: 11 of the Maineliest Maine Cocktails from Maine | https://z1073.com/11-of-the-maineliest-maine-cocktails-from-maine/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
Many places in Maine close for the winter season, so plan ahead of your visit. You can explore in day trips from Portland or road trips along the Route 1 coast. Be sure to check out the many summer music festivals and local events and savour a local rum sundowner overlooking Maine’s stunning ocean or mountain views. Enjoy the local rum and a New England classic lobster roll from a beachside restaurant and watch the sunset on a cruising sail. The quintessential Maine experience awaits with unique flavours of Maine-made rum, from coastal memories or a post-hiking refresher.
For more general travel advice on Maine Tourism
For travel planning use our Maine Rum Map
Special thanks to Dave McConnell from Three of Strong Spirits for the Maine rum history section and the brands for contributing to this article and the use of images. Other image credits go to Canva Pro and user contributions.