Saxtons Distillery — Local services in Brattleboro

First off, we stopped in after learning about this place from a brochure at our local campground. We love trying new and local spirits and wines along with learning about the company and the spirits we are trying.

When we walked in, I went to sign the guestbook. My husband walked around looking at the various offerings. The guy behind the counter didn't acknowledge us until my husband said hi. Then he asked if we were in to buy something or taste. We said we'd like to try the options and make our decision about buying.

In the most bored way possible, Counter Man said "One tasting is free, 4 is $4, but there's tax, so it's 4 and change." Ok....i just asked to try the Maple Bourbon (which is super sweet). My husband bought a 4 taste flight. Bored, and ready to be rid of us, Counter Man asked "here are your options" and didn't explain any of them. My husband selected his four, received zero explanation about each one, how it was made, or what was unique about them (several were award winning, we couldn't tell you why). Counter Man, probably thinking about the minute he could lock the door and go home said "here's your gin through the bourbon" collected the $4 and change, and said nothing else to us for the rest of our visit.

My husband tried each one. We then looked around some more. I had already decided I wasn't spending money on any of the selections, which is a shame because I had prepared to buy some gifts for friends back home. We then left and proceeded to discuss our strange and awful experience all the way back to camp.

Don't go here folks. Seriously, just don't go - they don't care anyway. Your money is better...

We visited on November 8th. I was so excited and was not disappointed! We were actually staying the night across the street so we walked over from our hotel to the large tasting room.

I have been a fan of Sapling's Maple Liquor for a long time - I remember stopping at the place on the river and even then I had been a fan for long time. I love anything maple and Sapling's products are amazing.

We had an amazing experience sitting at the bar and chatting with the mixologist. I use that term as our drinks were amazing and perfectly balanced but we also got a great education on the Saxton's products that were in the drinks and even some of the other ingredients like the VT made vermouth. We had the High Rise Manhattan made with their Maple Rye and the Espresso Martini made with their Perc coffee liquor. Both were amazing! We enjoyed our visit and our tastings as well. The honey bourbon was also very tasty. I will be looking for that to buy next. As it was I also walked out of there with a bottle of the Sapling Maple Liquor and the Sapling Maple Rye to add the bottle of Double Barrel Maple Bourbon already on my bar cart. I also stopped at the tasting room in downtown Brattleboro for the VT based vermouth.

Thank you for a great time and producing my favorite liquors! We...

You can tell you're creeping into middle age when you give a bar five stars for being clean, spacious, well-lit, and quiet. Doesn't hurt that they have excellent craft cocktails made with their own delicious liquors, yummy non-alcoholic drinks for abstainers, a bank shuffleboard table, friendly bartenders, a beautiful big yard with fire pits and lots of seating—and a cat!

Every time I've been here they've been super accommodating. They've let us bring in outside food and eat it at the bar (they serve some snacks, but not a full kitchen). We've come as a big group with lots of kids and they've set us up outside with fires in the firepits and grates over them for safety—the kids really enjoyed digging in the sand (and the grownups really enjoyed the cocktails). They have live music there sometimes, and a selection of board games.

The only downside is that sometimes it can take a while to get a drink—the cocktails are lovingly hand-mixed with lots of interesting fresh local ingredients, so if you're anxious to get a bunch of booze in your boozehole right away maybe order a whiskey flight or something. I also feel like they don't do a great job of self-promotion—I only learned about it through word of mouth. BUT it's here, and it's...