Working Man Distillers is borne out of a love affair,” begins Kelly Lendall, describing a fortuitous series of events followed by years of sweat equity and elbow grease that went into the distillery’s recent opening in Pawtucket. “My husband and I had our very first date sharing a bottle of whiskey that I bought for him and knew very little about. We both instantly fell in love – with each other and that fine bottle of whiskey. I bought John a home-distilling kit as a gift and said I wouldn’t marry him until he had perfected the original recipe.”
You guessed it – John did indeed create the whiskey that won over Kelly’s heart. That was a decade ago, and since then the industrious husband-and-wife team has been poring over the perfect pours on a much greater scale, producing a range of spirits and refining recipes. Their passion is contagious, often enticing tasting room guests to learn more about the art of organic distilling, which the Lendalls are happy to regale them with.
Naturally, whiskey – single malt, rye, and bourbon – is their claim to fame. “Our original whiskey recipe is based on a George Washington recipe from his distilling days. There’s a lot of history in those barrels!” says Kelly. They also produce barrel-aged gin, vodka (including a pineapple-flavored version), brandy, moonshine, and agave, all on-site. “Everything is ‘grain to glass,’ and we pride ourselves on quality. Our draft cocktails, hand-muddled cocktails, and cocktail flights reflect this high standard. Even our garnishes, like pickles and mint, are locally sourced from small family-run businesses like ours.”
Now settled into their Pawtucket digs, Kelly explains that they’ve outfitted the space with a “Nashville chic” sensibility, which makes good use of the former mill building’s exposed brick walls, 30-foot ceilings, and polished stone floors. The couple infuses inviting quirks, too, like a vintage bathtub fashioned into a loveseat, eclectic bar stools, and plants taking in the sunlight from tall windows. “We want it to be a place where you can come to enjoy a fine spirit and unwind after a long day,” says Kelly.
Since opening in the spring, the distillery tasting room has doubled as a happening hub for events, from open mic nights to live music shows, with food trucks supplying snacks to enjoy while imbibing. The Lendalls take pride in bringing together fellow hard-working patrons in the spirit of, well, spirits. “We can guide you through the menu and help you find that ‘just right’ drink,” says Kelly – and who knows, it may lead to a similar kismet meet-cute as that fateful glass of whiskey that brought the Lendalls together. 5 Carpenter Street, Pawtucket, WorkingManDistillers.com
As whiskey fans, the Lendalls love showcasing their bourbon with a tried-and-true cocktail: the Old Fashioned. Sip it in their tasting room or order a bottle to make it at home.
• 1.5 oz. Working Man Distillers Cape House Rye Whiskey
• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
• 1 tsp of sugar
• Orange peel
Muddle the orange peel in a rocks glass, and pour ingredients over a large ice cube. Top the glass with a twisted orange peel and a cocktail cherry. Enjoy!
Go for the locally distilled liquor, stay for the camaraderie. Along with live music select nights, here’s just a handful of events happening at Working Man Distillers this month:
Wednesdays: Open Mic Night welcomes everything from poetry readings to musical performances, 6-8pm.
August 3: Embellish a bottle with sunflowers and twinkling lights at Paint Night, 3-5pm.
August 22: Settle in for an evening of laughs at Comedy Night, 6:30-9pm.
August 31: The Ten Lives Rescue Adoption Event and Fundraiser features a cat-themed cocktail, merch sales, a food truck, and adorable kitty patrons seeking homes, 3-6pm.
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