Norwalk’s SoNo 1420, America’s maritime distillery, hosted the ownership and bar team from O’Neill’s Irish Pub & Restaurant for a private barrel tasting and selection at its distillery and tasting room on March 27. Guests were led through a fun and interactive experience tasting different barrels of 1420 bourbon to choose their own barrel for their Norwalk restaurant, which will be ready to serve this summer. Through SoNo 1420’s barrel select program, customers are able to choose either a full barrel, equivalent to 160 to 200 bottles, or a half barrel, equal to 80 to 100 bottles. Spirits have been aged between two to six or more years. Private barrels can be crafted from a blend of whiskeys that customers select from a variety of mash bills and custom aging and barrel-finishing options are available. SoNo 1420 was founded in 2019 by Ted Dumbauld, who launched the distillery after experimenting with hemp-based whiskey recipes. All of the brand’s ultra-premium, award-winning spirits are crafted in historic South Norwalk on Day Street.

Photos courtesy of SoNo 1420.