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Turkey Shore Distilleries is a young company with an old soul. Co-founded in 2010 by a former history teacher, the brand has a story that is almost as important as the taste of the product itself.
In Colonial and Post-Colonial New England, rum production was an important part of the new economy, with distilleries in nearly every coastal town in the region. One such distillery was located on Turkey Shore Road in Ipswich, MA, the very road where Mat Perry and Evan Parker, co-founders of the Turkey Shore Distilleries of today grew up.
Though the older generation of distillers got its molasses from Barbados and other Caribbean islands, the reincarnated Turkey Shore Distilleries strives for the most local sources possible for its ingredients, obtaining molasses from Louisiana.
Because the molasses used is Grade A, meaning that it has been minimally refined, it retains much of the sweetness found in the original sugar cane. This means that Turkey Shore’s final product is not re-sweetened after the distilling process, as many types of rum are that use more highly processed molasses. The result is a bold, no-nonsense flavor with a bite not unlike that of a good Scotch.
Buying domestic ingredients and keeping history alive aren’t the only ways Turkey Shore stays connected to its neighbors. Says co-founder and president Mat Perry, “We really believe in giving back to our local community. We can’t argue for people to spend extra money to buy local if we don’t live our own mantra.” The company’s donations of time, funds, and products have gone to such local organizations such as the YMCA, Children’s Hospital, and the Taste of the Nation project to end childhood hunger, to name a few.
At the Local Craft Brewfest in October, you will find the two rum styles currently offered year-round: White Cap Rum and Tavern Style Rum, both of which took home awards from the American Distilling Institute’s 2012 Spirit Competition. In addition Perry has hinted at a potential appearance by Fall/Winter seasonal spiced rum. Seasonal rum? Well, why not? Everyone loves seasonal beer.
This post was written by Jane Ward of Corn Free July, go check her out!
