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FULL POUR

This Limited Run Whiskey from White Dog Invokes the Burning of the Gaspee

Alecia and Carlo Catucci, co-founders of White Dog Distilling in Pawtucket, created Sabin’s Spirit whiskey for the Rhode Island Historical Society to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. (Photos by Lauren Clem)

On the evening of June 9, 1772, a group of men gathered at Sabin’s Tavern on the corner of South Main and Planet streets in Providence. The group armed themselves and set off in longboats down the Providence River, where the HMS Gaspee sat beached on a sandbar off Namquid Point. The men boarded the customs enforcement schooner, shot its commanding officer and set it on fire, inciting the wrath of Colonial officials.

Their actions would go down in Rhode Island history as one of the first acts of violent rebellion of the American Revolution. For decades, Rhode Islanders have commemorated their part in the rebellion with festivals, road races and an annual reenactment off what’s known today as Gaspee Point. Now, they can raise a glass with a drink prepared in the spirit of that night.

Earlier this month, White Dog Distilling of Pawtucket opened pre-sales for Sabin’s Spirit, a whiskey distilled in honor of the 250^th anniversary of America’s founding. The whiskey was created for the Rhode Island Historical Society and will be unveiled at the RIHS Golden Ball commemorating the anniversary in June. (In disclosure, this writer volunteers with the RIHS and serves on a planning committee for the event.)

The whiskey is described by White Dog as “featuring notes of honey and caramel, its finish, perhaps like its inspiration … smoky but with a lingering sweetness.” The recipe is comprised of 85 percent corn and 15 percent malt, making it similar, co-owner Carlo Catucci notes, to something that might have been enjoyed in Colonial New England. It’s almost identical to the distillery’s popular puppy bourbon, with one important difference: Whereas bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak containers, Sabin’s Spirit is aged in the same barrels previously used for puppy bourbon, lending an extra element.

“The charred resin is what gives it the vanilla, the caramel flavors and the color,” Carlo says.

The whiskey has been in the works since 2025, when the RIHS approached White Dog about creating a signature spirit for the 250^th. The two groups had previously worked together on the RIHS Drink in the History series that pairs history talks with local beverages. When they agreed on a whiskey, Carlo and co-owner Alecia Catucci knew they’d have to work quickly to get the whiskey in barrels in time for the anniversary.

“It’s a lot of planning that had to take place because we wanted to have the whiskey distilled and in the barrel in time to have it aged one year,” Carlo says.

Adding to the urgency, the distillery ran into equipment problems when they were creating the whiskey last year. With last summer’s record high temperatures, they also worried the spirit would be impacted as it aged. White Dog is located in the historic Lorraine Mills complex in Pawtucket, a building whose sawtooth roof design provides plenty of natural light but has the side effect of heating up the interior on hot summer days.

“There’s a threshold for when we can do it because if it gets too hot, we can’t ferment anymore. It kills the yeast,” Carlo explains.

Despite the setbacks, both White Dog and the RIHS were pleased with the result when they sampled the near-finished spirit. The bottle’s label is decorated with flames that invoke the burning of the Gaspee, while its name — chosen by RIHS Executive Director C. Morgan Grefe — signifies the tavern where the conspirators met.

“It’s related to Rhode Island history, and then also to the spirit of what taverns represented at that time in terms of a space to be able to come to exchange ideas and meet and gather and learn the news of the day,” says RIHS Senior Director for Advancement and Public Engagement Sarah Carr.

The four-barrel limited run is expected to produce about 250 bottles of whiskey — an appropriate number for the anniversary year. The spirit will be served at the RIHS Golden Ball gala on June 27 and is also available for pre-order for pickup at the distillery in June.

According to Alecia, the partnership is part of an effort to produce whiskeys that will appeal to those interested in limited run products. In addition to whiskey and bourbon, the distillery makes gin, rum, limoncello and flavored moonshines. All of its products are available to order on its website or for tasting at the Pawtucket tasting room.

“As small as we are, we are trying to introduce more products to serious whiskey collectors,” Alecia says.

As a small distillery, White Dog’s process is also a throwback to old-school distilling techniques, with most steps — including dipping each bottle of Sabin’s Spirit in a red wax seal — accomplished by hand. Alecia says the couple enjoyed being a part of a whiskey that celebrates the 250^th anniversary.

“We want to be around for the next one,” she says.

The label for Sabin’s Spirit has a flame motif to invoke the burning of the Gaspee.

SMALL SIPS

• It’s been a tough month in the craft beer industry. Proclamation Ale Company, the long-running and beloved Warwick brewery, officially closed its doors after thirteen years. In an emotional social media post, Lori Witham detailed the struggles of running the brewery after the sudden death of her husband and brewery founder Dave Witham in 2020. Elsewhere, Crafted Hope Brewing Co. in East Greenwich is closing its doors after this weekend, and Rejects Beer Co. is temporarily closed while it searches for a new location after the sale of its building in Middletown.

• It’s not all bad news. Another oldie-but-goodie, Ravenous Brewing Company, has been up for sale in Cumberland. Earlier this month, Moniker Brewery announced they are purchasing the business and rebranding it as “Moniker North.” The property is currently closed for renovations, but expected to reopen this summer. Check out our story here.

• Rhode Island Spirits has opened the Rhodium Green Room, a special month-long pop-up bar at 461 Main St., right next to The Guild in Pawtucket. The new location makes it easier to enjoy cocktails alongside your favorite beers from The Guild. (Events and private bookings will still take place at the company’s distillery bar on the other side of the building.)

• Congratulations to Trágmar Ale Works for taking gold in the World Beer Cup Irish-style Red Ale category for Goibniu Irish Red Ale. It’s the first time a Rhode Island brewery has won gold in the thirty-year competition. (The same beer earned a Best of RI Editors’ Pick last year for Irish Red Ale. We know a good thing when we see one.)

EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS

• Newport Vineyards (home to Taproot Brewing Company) has unveiled Farm & Barrel Bistro, a new farm-to-table dining concept featuring distinct menus for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch and a full-service cocktail program. The menu features fresh takes on classic dishes showcasing the best of the Rhode Island harvest.

• It’s not quite Pride Month yet, but Arcane Mead & Winery is ahead of the game with a new Rainbow Rhode mead made in collaboration with Queers & Beers of Rhode Island. It’s a barrel-aged white pyment made with raspberry, orange, mango, kiwi and blueberries. Try it in the Providence tasting room or take a bottle home.

• Narragansett Beer and Newport Craft will both host pop-ups by the RI Seafood Marketing Collaborative for Quahog Week. The event takes place at Narragansett on Tuesday, May 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. and at Newport Craft on Thursday, May 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. Harvesters from the RI Shellfishermen’s Association will be on hand shucking and serving complimentary littlenecks, and small bites will be available from various RI Seafood partners.

• Change of Pace Art will host a Paint Your Pet party at The Guild in Pawtucket on Thursday, May 21, from 5:30 to 7:30. Tickets are $60 and include instruction from a local artist and a pre-sketched canvas of your pet to paint and take home. Tickets are available online.

• The Rogue Island Comedy Festival will have two shows at Newport Craft at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, May 22. It’s also food truck night, so grab tasty treats at more than a dozen trucks from 5 p.m. until dark. Comedy show tickets are available online.

• Grey Sail Brewing will host Girls Day Out on Saturday, May 23, from 2 to 6 p.m. Grab the girls for drinks, live music, pizza from Vetrano’s Wood Fired Pizza, a make-your-own succulent bar, make-your-own charms and permanent jewelry, onsite spray tans, artisanal sourdough for sale and a dessert bar.

• Breaking Bread, the mentorship and leadership development organization that hosts events around Rhode Island, will be at the Rhodium Green Room at Rhode Island Spirits on Wednesday, May 27, at 5:30 p.m. Speakers include Ana Rooney, VP of tour design at Collette, Melissa Snape, head of corporate responsibility at Collette and Akanksha Aga, founder of Breaking Bread. Tickets are $40 plus fees and available online.

• There will be a Beer Friends Meet-up at Phantom Farms Brewing on Saturday, May 30, at noon. Check out @p20mg on Instagram for more info on the group of craft beer lovers who visit breweries around Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Newcomers welcome!

• Tilted Barn Brewery’s summer markets will start on Wednesday, June 3, and run through Aug. 26. Markets take place on Wednesday nights and run from 4 to 7 p.m. featuring locally made art, homegrown foods, live music and more.

• Tickets are on sale for the 2026 Ragged Island Music Festival at Ragged Island Brewing Co. June 13 through 14 from noon to 8:30 p.m. Check out artists including Shwayze, IRIEspect, the Slackers, Over the Bridge, Nena Belen, ACB, Black Uhuru and Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root. Tickets are $71.24 each and available online.

• Book a Break is hosting a book tour day-treat featuring Stephanie Mack’s novel Twenty Something Else at Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. on Saturday, June 13, from 1 to 4 p.m. Tickets include a copy of the book along with a virtual interview with the author and bookish crafts. There will be a themed cocktail menu with drinks available to purchase. Tickets are $40 each and available online.

• Phantom Farms Brewing has announced the lineup for its 2026 summer concert series. On the lineup this year is a summer Mardi Gras celebration, Dave Matthews tribute festival, the Red Not Chili Peppers and more. Tickets are up for sale on Eventbrite.

LABEL OF THE MONTH

(Photo courtesy of Trágmar Ale Works)

Goibniu Irish Red Ale by Trágmar Ale Works

Gold Medalist in the 2026 World Beer Cup

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