Celebrating the people, passion, and stories behind great hospitality with Tock 10.
Barr Hill
Montpelier, VT
The concept
Founded by lifelong beekeeper Todd Hardie and head distiller Ryan Christiansen, Caledonia Spirits moved into its 27k square-foot Montpelier facility in 2019—fittingly located on Gin Lane. Barr Hill Gin is distilled with raw honey sourced from within a 250-mile radius, typically containing 100 to 115 distinct pollen and plant particles. The distillery’s cocktail bar was recognized with a 2024 James Beard Award® nomination for Outstanding Bar Program.
The tasting room pours a rotating lineup of seasonal cocktails, from the signature Bee’s Knees to the Smokey and the Peach—made with Barr Hill Gin, tarragon brown–butter–washed Barr Hill Gin, chipotle-infused mezcal, lemon juice, and peach syrup. Small plates showcase local farms, with offerings like Vermont Creamery crostini and crispy glazed pork belly. Guests can enjoy complimentary tastings of spirits found only here, including Phyllis Rye Whiskey and vodka distilled from 100% raw honey. Behind-the-scenes tours reveal the craft in action, and visitors even have the chance to dip their own bottle in melted beeswax. Each year during Bee’s Knees Week in late September, the distillery raises funds to plant pollinator habitats—and to date, they’ve helped plant over 1,000,000 square feet of bee-friendly space.
For the mission beyond the glass. Every bottle supports both beekeepers and bee conservation, reconnecting cocktail culture to agriculture while creating spirits that genuinely taste like the surrounding Vermont landscape.