Onyx Spirits Company, LLC Producing Handcrafted Connecticut Spirits

MANCHESTER, CT, January 28, 2011

Handcrafted Connecticut spirits will soon be available to the public. Onyx Spirits Company, a Manchester based start-up distillery, will release their first three products in April; Charles Taylor Vodka, Littlebird Limoncello, and Onyx Moonshine.

After almost two years of planning and construction, the distillery is now up and running and production of the spirits has begun. The distillery is located in Connecticut's historic Hilliard Mills, America's oldest woolen mill.

Once products are available, Onyx Spirits will join the Connecticut Department of Agriculture's unique "Farm to Chef Program" which, according to its website, connects Connecticut chefs and food service professionals with producers of Connecticut grown products.

"We have an extremely localized green approach with the distillery, and are excited to take part in the state run Farm-to-Chef program," says co-founder Adam von Gootkin. "We are trying to do as much business as possible with Connecticut based companies. By producing the product locally and distributing ourselves, the end products will be much greener than the alternative mass-produced liquors which often travel across oceans to get to local stores. We're also using many organic products and processes. Most importantly, our stuff tastes better!"

"We are delighted to have Onyx Spirits Company join Farm-to-Chef and think our members will be excited about their new product line," said Linda Piotrowicz, who heads up the Farm-to-Chef Program for the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. "Farm-to-Cheffers are extremely passionate about what they produce, whether they're growing crops, raising livestock, or creating culinary masterpieces, while also being dedicated to using local ingredients and supporting local companies. Because Onyx shares those same qualities, I think will be a terrific complement to the program."

Water for the spirits is being supplied by Triple Springs, one of Connecticut's pure spring water sources. Organic lemons will be used for the limoncello, and are being supplied by Fresh Point, a Connecticut company founded in 1865, which delivers fresh fruits and vegetables to restaurants and grocery stores across the state.

Onyx Spirits Company will be handling all aspects of creating, marketing, and distributing the products. The liquor products will initially be available at select restaurants and liquor stores in the greater Hartford area.

Onyx Spirits Company, LLC is a Connecticut based distillery producing handcrafted vodka, limoncello, and moonshine.