Round Turn Distilling

A Round Turn is the most simple knot, one complete turn of a rope around an object. Despite its simplicity, it is immensely strong and effective, used to hold even great ships against a dock. But its strength relies on a person holding one end of the rope and applying tension, allowing the forces of friction and torque to work. Distilling is simple, just condensing vapor back to liquid. But with a person applying their senses of smell and taste, this simple process can be harnessed to produce something complex and sublime.

Located in a 150 year-old textile mill on the Saco River 5 miles from the Maine coast, Round Turn Distilling embodies the pragmatism and industriousness of its New England forebears. While the mill once used the waters of the river to power its massive looms, Round Turn uses steam to power its modern, steel and copper still. The still is itself an embodiment of tradition informed by innovation. Built in Etna, Maine, by Trident Stills, it blends the basic principles of the centuries-old pot-still with modern innovations and efficiencies. After all, tradition was once innovation in its time.