Rhode Island’s Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co. released an aged spirit in collaboration with Narragansett Beer. The special bottling was distilled from Narragansett’s Bancroft Up or Down Ale in 2018, then aged for five years in new American oak barrels. With just more than 900 bottles produced, the 45% ABV release will only be sold in Rhode Island liquor stores and Sons of Liberty’s tasting room in South Kingstown, distributed by Mancini Beverage – Rhode Island Distributing division. “It’s always an honor to work with the team at Narragansett and the beer translated into a whiskey so well,” said Sons of Liberty Founder Mike Reppucci. “It’s really hop-forward, you can smell the floral notes right away, but it still finishes like a smooth whiskey. Definitely unique on its own or really fun to use in cocktails.” Due to labeling regulations from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, the collaboration isn’t classified as a whiskey, but rather a spirit distilled from grain and hops. “The process is the same as our other whiskies, but the presence of hops pre-distillation means it’s technically not a whiskey,” Reppucci explained. “For the sake of conversation, it’s a hop-flavored whiskey.” This marks the second time Sons of Liberty has partnered with Narragansett on a release. Sons of Liberty’s tasting room featured four cocktails made with the spirit during a release party on Nov. 18.