SILO Distillery, Windsor, Vermont

By Erin on January 19, 2015

Rules are meant to be broken. You only live once. Carpe diem. When I walked into SILO Distilleryin Windsor, Vermont—the birthplace of Vermont—in the middle of “dry January,” all of these sayings came to mind as I decided to forego willpower and a month of abstention (which, let me tell you, is hard to do living in Vermont) and give in to the temptation of locally made, unique spirits from American Crafted Spirits. Think Elderberry Vodka, Barrel-Aged Gin and Moonshine, among others, in sleek bottles with eye-catching labels and rugged wooden toppers.

I sat down at one of four bar stools in the barn red building with a striking copper silo and matching bar tops, and admired the microdistillery while perusing a list of American Crafted Spirits’ offerings. As I tasted a few spirits straight, the former bartender in me was dreaming up new concoctions to try at home, while the marketer in me drooled over SILO’s abstract logo that embodies the essence of Vermont.

I started my tasting with the Moonshine (go big or go home, right?), a blend of corn, rye and molasses in a flavorful spirit that warms you up with just the right amount of burn. SILO’s Bourbon Whiskey, which just won Double Gold by TheFiftyBest.com, was up next. It’s the best Vermont bourbon I’ve had, maybe even the best bourbon I’ve had. Seriously, step aside Kentucky! Made with Vermont corn and rye in small batches, SILO’s Bourbon had a hint of sweet that made it smooth and rich, easy to drink neat or with a cube. The Lavender Vodka and Elderberry Vodka were different—but better—than I expected. The Lavender was bright and clean tasting, calling for a pop of citrus. The Elderberry was soft and earthy, drier than I expected, with just a hint of sweet from the inclusion of honey.

SILO offers cocktails in addition to tasting for $10, so I opted for a SILO Bourbon, cranberry juice and apple cider cocktail, served in a mason jar, while Randy sipped on a Maple Manhattan made with Bourbon and Sapling Liqueur, topped with a homemade Lavender vodka-infused sour cherry. The best cherry he ever had, he said… At home, I have been enjoying SILO’s Lavender Vodka with a bit of lemon nectar and seltzer for a refreshing digestif. The citrus brings out the flavor of the lavender, a unique and soothing flavor.

Visiting SILO Distillery

SILO is located in the Artisan Park in Windsor, across the parking lot from Harpoon Brewery and the Sustainable Farmer, and down the street from the Simon Pierce outlet. The Artisan Park is becoming a destination in Windsor County for foodies and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Make an afternoon of it. Stop by Sustainable Farmer for some cheese, chutney and wine samples, before walking over to Harpoon for a brewery tour, a pint of beer or cider. End your afternoon at SILO with a perfect pre-dinner cocktail, before checking out the Windsor Station for an early dinner.

Don’t leave SILO empty handed. Whether you purchase a bottle of spirits to take with you (ranging from $34.99 to $68.99) or SILO-made sour cherries, pickled cocktail onions or a SILO-branded t-shirt or flask. If you can’t get to Windsor, check out your local Vermont Liquor Outlet or one of these vendors carrying SILO.

How SILO Distillery Came to Be

The owners of SILO, Peter Jillson and Anne Marie Delaney, started the microdistillery in 2013 with just one product: vodka. Since then, they’ve been adding to their premium line of craft spirits and quickly expanding their distribution throughout the Northeast. All of their raw materials are sourced locally in Vermont and are hand-selected by SILO’s master distiller. All spirits are made in small batches to ensure quality in each bottle. Based on the spirits we tasted, you could easily fill your liquor cabinet with all of SILO’s Vermont-made spirits. I’m eager to see what will be next… Tequila? Whatever it is, I can’t wait to try it and experiment with some new cocktail creations. Cheers!