SoNo 1420, newly rebranded as “America’s maritime distillery,” showcased its spirits at an event with Copps Island Oysters at its distillery in Norwalk on Nov. 2. Guests enjoyed tastes of SoNo 1420 spirits paired with oysters from the Norwalk-based Copps Island, a fourth-generation, family-owned shellfish farm that operates one of the last traditional oyster farms in the United States. To start, guests were given a complimentary oyster shooter featuring SoNo 1420 Le Lemon Flavored Vodka. Next, partygoers sampled SoNo 1420 Finished at Sea Single Barrel Bourbon, which is aged on working boats on Long Island Sound, in the tradition of pre-Prohibition bourbon distillers who aged their whiskies on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. The rocking motion of being at sea coupled with the exposure to salt air results in a unique, full-bodied spirit. Guests enjoyed more food from the Copps Island food truck paired with craft cocktails featuring SoNo 1420 spirits. 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. Located in a custom-designed industrial building, the distillery highlights its imported copper and stainless steel still, as well as its destination tasting room. The award-winning brand includes whiskeys, gins, vodkas and ready-to-drink cocktails. The brand is self-distributed in Connecticut.

Photos by Andrew Dominick.