Drinkability is paramount, but historical color sure helps with marketing. The Dorchester Avenue building that houses GrandTen's distillery has more than its fair share. Once an iron foundry, it was built by Cyrus Alger, a renowned metallurgist who supplied the government with munitions during the War of 1812. The foundry later became a wire works — hence their flagship gin's name, says McMinn. "We really like the history of this spot, kind of the unknown history of Boston, that iron made this area an economic powerhouse." So did rum, which GrandTen also has on the way. They're currently aging their Medford Rum, a blackstrap-molasses rum reminiscent of those New England made famous during colonial times. And the name of their new chipotle-flavored vodka, Fire Puncher, nods to the legend of Tommy Maguire — who, an 1887 newspaper account maintains, attempted to fight flames at the foundry with his bare firsts.
In retrospect, this whole distilling thing seems like a lot of work. Maybe we'll just stick to drinking for now.
GRANDTEN DISTILLING:: 383 Dorchester Ave, Boston :: 617.269.0497 or grandten.com :: Call to schedule a tour, or visit during its Bloody Mary competition on October 28.
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