SONO 1420 American Craft Distillers takes its SONO name from its location in historic South Norwalk (SONO), Connecticut. The 1420 is a reference to, “On February 4, 1919, the Connecticut State House, by a vote of 14 to 20, failed to ratify the 18th Amendment, making Connecticut the first – of only two – states to defeat Prohibition. The distillery chose the number “1420” as a nod to the revolutionary spirit embodied by this vote and to symbolize the rights of personal freedom for which the brand stands.”
Ted Dumbauld
We took a tour of the SONO 1420 Distillery on Sunday, March 20, 2022, and met with founder Ted Dumbauld. Located in the historic section of SONO, the distillery is urban chic attractive with its 1800s industrial building featuring exposed brick walls adorned with artwork by local artists. Patrons sitting at the wrap-around long wood bar have views of the distillery’s column stills, wood and metal stools flank high-top tables, and there is a sitting area with a comfortable red leather sofa and high-backed chairs perfect for relaxing with friends. There is also outdoor seating and to complete the ambience there is a 1937 Chevy truck parked in front of their building.
The distillery had a soft launch in February 2019 and officially opened in April 2019. Their focus is creating ultra-premium, alternative grain, distilled spirits and use hemp seeds in their mashbill. Their products include Vodkas, Gins, a Bourbon made with 75% corn, 15% rye, and 5 % hemp; and a Rye made with 75% rye, 15% corn, and 5% hemp. During our visit we learned that they hand distill their Vo Vodka from a blend of cane and corn that is vapor infused which gives it slightly sweet notes without any artificial flavors or artificial sweeteners.
Blake Poon – Mixologist
Their Tasting Room has intriguing craft cocktails and after tasting products neat, we indulged in a Cucumber Gimlet (2 ounces Bangtail Gin, 1 Ounce Cucumber Juice, 0.75-ounce fresh squeezed lime juice, and 0.50-ounce rosemary syrup), and their Hemped Sour (2 ounces SONO1420 Hemped Rye, 0.50-ounce honey ginger syrup, 0.75-ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice, 0.50-ounce pineapple juice), which showcased the high-quality and versatility of their products.
Cucumbuer Gimlet
We returned to the distillery on April 7, 2022, for an artist reception featuring the works of 6 local artists, Alder Crocker, Britt Blair, Stephen Goldstein, M.C. Hewlett, Vic DeCrow, and photographer Peter Mendelson, all of whose art is featured on limited editions of Vo Vodka.
The Artists
It was an evening of merriment, discussing the intriguing artwork with the artists including Stephen Goldstein’s use of old license plates incorporated into his works, great cocktails, and making new friends. SONO 1420 American Craft Distillers is more than a distillery with exceptional products, it is also a happening, a place for enjoying cool cocktails and conversation with friends, as well as special events held year-round.
Artist – Stephen Goldstein
Vo Vodka Tasting and Cocktail Recipes
SONO 1420 Vo Vodka Product and Bottle Information: Their Vo Vodka is sugar and gluten-free and was a 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Bronze Winner. It is made in small batches, and is hand distilled from a blend of corn and cane, with no artificial flavors. Average analysis per 1.5 fluid ounces, 97 calories, 0 grams carbs, 0 grams protein, 0 grams fat, and 0 grams sugar. 40% alcohol, 80-proof.”
Tasting Notes: Velvety soft on the palate with a rich, creamy mouthfeel and lingering slightly spicy finish.
Luxury Experience was “in the kitchen and behind the bar®” creating incredibly special handcrafted cocktails and a culinary recipe to tempt your palate and inspire your own creations using SONO 1420 American Craft Distillers Vo Vodka.
The Cocktail Menu
Luxury Experience – SONO Shimmer
Luxury Experience – SONO Secrets
Luxury Experience – SONO Café
The Cocktail Recipes
Luxury Experience – SONO Shimmer
Luxury Experience – SONO Shimmer was inspired by the art of M.C. Hewlett, whose Heart painting was featured on the label of a limited edition of Vo Vodka (February 2022). The original painting had textural layers and varying shades of pinks and reds and shimmered with diamond dust.
Artist – M. C. Hewlett
We named our cocktail Luxury Experience – SONO Shimmer which is made with SONO 1420 Vo Vodka and Shimmerwood Razz Lime Seltzer. Combined with muddled raspberries with sugar and fresh lime juice, this cocktail is summertime delicious and sparkles with a pretty rose and hibiscus sugar rim.
Luxury Experience – SONO Shimmer
Cocktail Ingredients:
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1.50
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Ounces
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2.00
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Ounces
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0.50
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Ounce
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Lime Juice, freshly squeezed
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3
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Large
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Red Raspberries
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2
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Tablespoons
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Sugar
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Fresh raspberries, garnish
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Rose and Hibiscus Sugar Rim (see instructions)
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Method for the Lime and Floral Sugar Rim: Place a small amount of dried rose petals in a coffee grinder or blender and process until finely ground. Pour into a bowl and add sugar.
Place dried hibiscus flowers (sold as Flor de Jamaica) and process as with the dried rose petals. Pour ground hibiscus flowers into a small bowl and mix with sugar. Mix a small amount of both floral sugars and pour onto a small plate large enough to roll your rocks glass in.
Using a pastry brush “paint a narrow rim on the outside of your rocks glass, then roll the glass in the floral sugars. This can be done ahead and can sit for several hours, making this perfect for a bar or party.
Method for the cocktail: Add the raspberries, sugar, and 0.50-ounce of fresh lime juice to a mixing glass and muddle to break down the raspberries and dissolve the sugar. Add the SONO1420 Vo Vodka and Shimmerwood Beverages Razz Lime Shimmer Seltzer and stir well. Pour into an ice-filled, sugar-rimmed rocks glass. Garnish with fresh raspberries.
Luxury Experience – SONO Secret
Luxury Experience – SONO Secrets was inspired by the paintings of artist Alder Crocker, whose paintings are full of little secret icons and signs that tell a story, and his painting is also featured on a limited edition of Vo Vodka. We wanted our cocktail to have its own little secrets for you to discover. For SONO Secrets, we combined SONO 1420 Vo Vodka, Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur, White Claw Hard Seltzer, Goya Mango Nectar, ripe mango, sugar, and a half a slice of jalapeno to give this cocktail its slightly spicy secret finish.
Artwork – Alder Crocker
Luxury Experience – SONO Secrets
Yield: 1 cocktail
Glass Used: Rocks Glass
Cocktail Ingredients:
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1.50
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Ounces
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0.25
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Ounce
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1.25
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Ounces
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1.00
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Ounce
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2
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Tablespoons
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Ripe Mango
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1
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Teaspoon
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Sugar
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0.50
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Slice
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Jalapeno
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Cape Gooseberries, Cubed Mango, garnish
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Artist – Alder Crocker & Debra C. Argen
Method: In a mixing glass, muddle the ripe mango, sugar, and jalapeno until smooth. Top with the rest of the ingredients. Pour into ice-filled rocks glass and garnish Cape Gooseberries and cubed mango on a skewer wrapped with chive for an added pop of color.
Luxury Experience – SONO Cafe
Luxury Experience – SONO Café was inspired by the paintings of artist Vic DeCrow, whose paintings have lovely earth tones, and her work was featured on the label of the March 2022 limited edition of Vo Vodka. Our cocktail combines SONO 1420 Vo Vodka with La Colombe Mocha Coffee Draft Latte, D&G Genuine Jamaican Crème Soda, and Half & Half, and tastes like a spirited “Egg Cream.” We added extra polish by rimming the snifter glass with Nutella and instant coffee. Serve over ice as a perfect finale to a great dinner or anytime that you want a little coffee “pick-me-up.”
Artist – Vic DeCrow
Luxury Experience – SONO Café
Yield: 1 cocktail
Glass Used: Snifter Glass
Cocktail Ingredients:
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1.50
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Ounces
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2.00
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Ounces
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1.00
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Ounce
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D&G Genuine Jamaican Crème Soda
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0.50
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Ounce
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Half & Half
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Nutella and instant coffee to rim glass
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Method for cocktail: Spoon a small amount of Nutella onto a small plate. Gently swirl rim of glass into the Nutella. Add a small amount of instant coffee to a small plate, then swirl the Nutella rim in the coffee. Set aside. Mix cocktail ingredients in a mixing glass and pour into prepared ice-filled snifter glass.
SONO 1420 Distillery
SONO 1420 American Craft Distillers Products
SONO 1420 American Craft Distillers hand craft their Vo Vodkas, whiskies, and gins in small batches. Their Vodkas include Vo Vodka, Bo – Blood Orange Vodka, Le – Lemon Vodka, and We – Woodruff and Elderflower. They also make three Whiskeys: 1420 BBN, 1420 Hemped Rye Spirit, and Blaze (Cinnamon Flavored Whisky), and three Gins: Sindica Bangtail Gin, Sindica Skysail Gin, and Sindica Midnight Gin, and ready-to-drink cocktails.
Photographer – Peter Mendelson
Retail Store Hours: Monday – Friday from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. Tasting Room Cocktail Hours: Friday from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm, Saturday from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm, and Sunday from 12:30 pm until 6:30 pm.
To learn more SONO 140 American Craft Distillers’ delectable product line please visit their website: www.SONO1420.com.
Relax outside with a cocktail
Cheers, its cocktail time!
SONO 1420 American Craft Distillers
19 Day Street
Norwalk, Connecticut 06854
United States
Telephone: +1-203-635-2100
Email: info@SONO1420.com
Website: www.SONO1420.com
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/SONO1420
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© May 2022. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com All rights reserved.
