By MIKE CHAIKEN EDITIONS EDITOR If you’re looking for a taste of New England with your rye, bourbon, or liqueur, a former Terryville resident has introduced his Vermont based liquor line to Connecticut, which taps into, literally, a flavor that’s native to the region. Christian Stromberg, who was born in New Britain and grew up in the Terryville area, is the founder of Saxtons River Distillery’s Sapling Liqueurs. Sapling produces whiskeys and liqueurs that utilizes real Vermont maple syrup in the distilling process. For Stromberg, Sapling continues a family tradition… although one that the family hasn’t always touted with pride. “The Lithuanian family of my mother’s side came from the coal mines of Pennsylvania,” explained Stromberg in an email interview. “My great grandmother made rye moonshine— sold by my grandfather— to survive.” “This wasn’t something they talked about or were proud of, they did what they needed to do,” added Stromberg. But his heritage also helped Stromberg figure out his focus for his distillery. “The Lithuanians and Polish make a honey liqueur called Krupnikas,” said Stromberg. “Our recipe for this was the inspiration for Sapling Maple Liqueur eight years ago.” A liquor utilizing maple syrup just made sense, said Stromberg […]
By MIKE CHAIKEN EDITIONS EDITOR If you’re looking for a taste of New England with your rye, bourbon, or liqueur, a former Terryville resident has introduced his Vermont based liquor line to Connecticut, which taps into, literally, a flavor that’s native to the region. Christian Stromberg, who was born in New Britain and grew up in the Terryville area, is the founder of Saxtons River Distillery’s Sapling Liqueurs. Sapling produces whiskeys and liqueurs that utilizes real Vermont maple syrup in the distilling process. For Stromberg, Sapling continues a family tradition… although one that the family hasn’t always touted with pride. “The Lithuanian family of my mother’s side came from the coal mines of Pennsylvania,” explained Stromberg in an email interview. “My great grandmother made rye moonshine— sold by my grandfather— to survive.” “This wasn’t something they talked about or were proud of, they did what they needed to do,” added Stromberg. But his heritage also helped Stromberg figure out his focus for his distillery. “The Lithuanians and Polish make a honey liqueur called Krupnikas,” said Stromberg. “Our recipe for this was the inspiration for Sapling Maple Liqueur eight years ago.” A liquor utilizing maple syrup just made sense, said Stromberg […]