Three of Strong Spirits

What Three of Strong Spirits does

Three of Strong Spirits is a privately held craft distillery founded in 2018 by Dave McConnell and Sam Pierce, operating from a converted warehouse at 35B Diamond Street in Portland, Maine's East Bayside neighborhood. The company produces small-batch rum and gin using organic evaporated cane juice and molasses, pure Sebago Lake water, wine yeast, and copper pot and column distillation, with aging in American oak and ex-bourbon barrels. The core portfolio spans eight spirits—Brightwater Silver Rum, Nightwater Dark Rum, Merrymeeting Spiced Rum, Stone Pier Rum, Portage Gin, Acadian Rum, Oaked Acadian Rum, and 'Chando 12 (a 12-year-old Colombian sipping rum)—plus a 2023-launched four-SKU ready-to-drink canned cocktail line (Maine Mojito, Stormy Night, Pineapple Maté, Hibiscus Lime) and an experimental Working Title limited-release series.

The business earns revenue across five channels: on-site tasting room sales (draft cocktails, $10-$15 pours, $10 spirit flights, $11 RTD flights, happy hour Friday 4-6pm), e-commerce via Shopify for nationwide shipping, local pickup through Toasttab and delivery via CarHop in Greater Portland, retail distribution at Whole Foods and Total Wine stores across California, and private events ($300-$3,000 minimums for 10-150 guests) plus $10/person distillery tours. The customer base is fragmented across craft-spirits enthusiasts, event hosts (corporate retreats, weddings, bachelorette parties), local Portland community members reached through recurring events programming, and RTD consumers nationwide. The company runs the Community Spirits Program donating $2 from each cocktail special to rotating monthly nonprofits, participates in the Maine Green Initiative with 100% renewable energy, and uses an electric Ford Lightning for local deliveries, all while having secured ~$2M in disclosed outside capital across a $1.8M October 2024 round and a $203K February 2025 follow-on.

Name

Three of Strong Spirits

Legal name

Three of Strong Spirits

Website

https://threeofstrongspirits.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Three of Strong Spirits is a Portland, Maine craft distillery making small-batch rum, gin, and ready-to-drink canned cocktails from organic ingredients and Sebago Lake water, selling through a tasting room, nationwide e-commerce, and California retail at Whole Foods and Total Wine.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Distilled Spirits

NAICS

Distilleries (312140)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC), Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Alcoholic Beverage Production (Canned Cocktails, Hard Seltzer) (AFAFAAAE), Distilleries (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAG), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF), Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers (THAFALAJ)

Keywords

• Craft rum distillery
• Small-batch gin
• Ready-to-drink cocktails
• Organic spirits
• Distillery tours

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tasting Room Sales: On-site sales of spirits by the glass, flights, cocktails, canned cocktails, and snacks. Tasting room hours are Friday 4-8pm, Saturday 12-8pm, Sunday 12-6pm. Includes happy hour on Friday from 4-6pm with $2 off draft cocktails.
2. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Online ordering for nationwide delivery of spirits, canned cocktails, and merchandise via shop.threeofstrongspirits.com. Local delivery via CarHop in Greater Portland area.
3. Take-Home Bottle Sales: Retail bottle sales of all spirits including Brightwater ($34.99), Portage Gin ($38.99), Stone Pier ($46.99), Nightwater Dark, Merrymeeting Spiced ($42.99), Oaked Acadian ($49.99), 'Chando 12 ($36.99), and limited releases including Take Five Reserve ($45.99) and Two Plus Two Rum Blend ($59.99).
4. Private Events: Revenue from private event bookings including indoor function rooms ($300-$2,500 minimums), full distillery takeovers ($3,000 minimum), and events outside tasting room hours ($1,000 minimum). Includes staffing fees and bar service.
5. Distillery Tours: Paid tours and tastings at $10 per person, with private group tours of up to 15 people including guided tasting of spirits and cocktails.
6. Ready-to-Drink Canned Cocktails: Pre-mixed canned cocktails sold individually ($11), in 4-packs ($15.99), and variety packs ($24.99). Also available in 32oz Grolsch growler refills ($25) and 750ml bottles ($20).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Three of Strong Spirits is a Portland, Maine-based craft distillery that produces small-batch rums, gin, and a line of ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktails using 100% organic ingredients, pure Sebago Lake water, wine yeast, and no artificial flavorings, colors, or sweeteners. Spirits are double-distilled in copper pot stills and barrel-aged in American oak and ex-bourbon barrels, then sold directly through an on-site tasting room, online store for nationwide shipping, retail partnerships, and local delivery.

Product overview

Three of Strong Spirits is a craft distillery in Portland, Maine specializing in small-batch rums and gins. The product portfolio includes eight core spirits: Brightwater Silver Rum (flagship), Nightwater Dark Rum, Merrymeeting Spiced Rum, Stone Pier Rum, Portage Gin, Acadian Rum, Oaked Acadian Rum, and 'Chando 12 (aged Colombian rum). The distillery also produces Ready-to-Drink canned cocktails (Maine Mojito, Stormy Night, Pineapple Maté, Hibiscus Lime) sold in 750ml bottles and growlers. In-person offerings include Tasting Room service, Distillery Tours ($10/person with tastings), and Private Events hosting (10-150 guests). The business operates e-commerce through Shopify for nationwide delivery, uses Toast Tab for local pickup, and CarHop for Greater Portland delivery. They maintain a Community Spirits charitable program and Punch Bowl Club membership through NuMarket.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Brightwater®: Brand name for silver rum product line
• Nightwater™
• Merrymeeting®
• Stone Pier®
• Portage™
• Acadian™
• Oaked Acadian™
• 'Chando 12™
• Working Title
• Maine Mojito™
• Stormy Night™
• Pineapple Maté™
• Hibiscus Lime™

Products and services

• Brightwater Silver Rum Flagship smooth silver rum made from organic evaporated cane juice, molasses, wine yeast, and pure Sebago Lake water. Double distilled in copper pot stills and mellowed in stainless steel tanks, featuring notes of hibiscus, cacao, and lemongrass. Awarded Gold Medal for Best White Rum from The Fifty Best (2025).
• Nightwater Dark Rum Dark rum made from organic fancy-grade molasses, aged 10-12 months in new charred and toasted American oak barrels, then blended with Brightwater silver rum. Features notes of coffee, dark chocolate, and molasses. Awarded Silver from American Craft Spirit Association (2021) and USA Spirits Award (2021).
• Merrymeeting Spiced Rum Spiced rum inspired by Merrymeeting Bay in mid-coast Maine, made with Brightwater rum macerated in former Jamaican rum barrels with vanilla, makrut lime leaves, cinnamon, ginger, and Szechuan peppercorn. Balanced for mixing with cola, tonic, or ginger beer.
• Stone Pier Rum Blended rum combining Brightwater pot-stilled silver rum with five-year-old column-stilled rum from Colombia. Features tropical notes of vanilla, spice, caramel, banana, dried fruits, and orange peel. Awarded Silver Medal from American Distilling Institute (2020).
• Portage Gin American gin distilled from organic sugarcane spirit, blending twelve botanicals including lemongrass, grapefruit peel, coriander, sumac, and cubeb berries. Named for the act of portaging a canoe. Versatile for martinis, gin and tonics, and creative cocktails. Awarded Bronze Medal from American Craft Spirit Association (2021).
• Acadian Rum Agricole-inspired white rum distilled from cold press Louisiana sugar cane juice. Features grass and citrus notes with a party-ready personality. Awarded Silver Medal for Best White Rum from The Fifty Best (2021).
• Oaked Acadian Rum Agricole-inspired rum aged in the distillery's used rum barrels. Cold press Louisiana sugar cane juice base with added notes of vanilla, banana, mango, and spice from oak aging. Supports Friends of Acadia with $2 per bottle donated. Awarded Bronze Medal from USA Spirits Award (2021).
• 'Chando 12 Rum 12-year-old sipping rum sourced from Colombia, column distilled under supervision of a maestro ronero with over 40 years experience. Aged in ex-bourbon barrels under Caribbean sun, featuring notes of leather, coffee, dried fruits, caramel, and vanilla. Multiple award winner including Silver Medal from San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2020).
• Working Title: Two Plus Two Rum Blend Limited release molasses-based rum fermented with champagne yeast and distilled in copper pot still. Aged in charred new American oak for 8 months, then finished 3.5 years in ex-apple brandy and ex-white wine barrels. Blended at 30% white wine to 70% apple brandy ratio. Part of experimental Working Title series.
• Working Title: Take Five Reserve Rum Limited release aged rum blend selected from early R&D barrel experiments. Aged five years in ideal barrels. Tasting notes of vanilla, dried apricots, raisins, pecan pie, toffee, crème brûlée, and baking spices. Only available at distillery while supplies last.
• Ready-to-Drink Cocktails Pre-mixed canned cocktails featuring award-winning rum and fresh, all-natural ingredients. Made in Maine, gluten-free, no preservatives, no artificial sweeteners, made with cane sugar. Available in 750ml bottles and 32oz growlers.
• Distillery Tours Behind-the-scenes tours of the Portland distillery including fermentation, distillation, and aging processes. Tour and tasting costs $10 per person, includes 1 cocktail sample and 2 spirit samples, lasts about 40 minutes. Private tours available for groups up to 15.
• Private Events Private event hosting at the distillery and tasting room. Venue accommodates 10-140 guests with prep kitchen, wireless audio/video, and outdoor deck. Pricing from $300 (indoor function room up to 25 guests) to $3,000 (full distillery takeover up to 150 guests).
• Tasting Room Service On-site tasting room in East Bayside, Portland offering draft cocktails, punches, and spirits as flights, full pours, or take-home. Food and non-alcoholic options available. Happy Hour Fridays 4-6pm with $2 off draft cocktails. Outdoor patio dog-friendly.
• Punch Bowl Club Membership Membership program on NuMarket platform. At $250 threshold, members receive first access to limited releases, quarterly member events, and bonus drink credits.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple award recognitions including Best in Class and Double Gold for Hibiscus Lime RTD cocktail
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Merge Fleet SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2023Partnership for sustainable fleet solutions using electric Ford Lightning for local deliveries and festival logistics.
• The KnotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWedding and events platform where Three of Strong maintains a profile for couples to discover and book the venue for weddings and bachelorette parties.
• Maine Brews CruiseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBus and boat tour company offering tours of Portland breweries and distilleries. Three of Strong is featured as a stop on their Portland tours, including summer boat tours.
• ShopifycoreTechnology or IntegrationE-commerce platform and payment processor powering the online store at shop.threeofstrongspirits.com for nationwide shipping of spirits and merchandise.
• ToasttabcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline ordering platform for local pickup at the distillery location at 35B Diamond Street, Portland.
• CarHopcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal delivery service for Greater Portland area delivering spirits and pre-mixed cocktails directly to customers.
• Agri-CycleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortland-based recycler that collects Three of Strong's waste for composting and bio-digestion as part of sustainability initiatives.
• Maine Green InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability program participant. Company has achieved 100% renewable energy for operations through Maine Green Initiative and Maine Solar Choices programs.
• Maine Solar ChoicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolar energy program participant contributing to company's 100% renewable energy usage for distillery and tasting room operations.
• Community Spirits Partner OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonthly rotating partners including WinterKids, Sebago Clean Waters, Maine Needs, Black Owned Maine, Cultivating Community, Indigo Arts Alliance, Equality Community Center, Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, Portland Trails, Best Buddies Maine, and Spurwink. $2 from every cocktail special sold is donated to partner organizations.
• Danza LatinaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLatin dance instruction and event company presenting monthly Bachata Nights at Three of Strong with beginner lessons and dance parties.
• Tits, Ass & Tom ImprovminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImprov comedy troupe featuring Krista, Jennywren Walker, and Tom Walsh performing regular shows at Three of Strong.
• edible MAINEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood and lifestyle magazine partnering on seasonal cocktail classes at Three of Strong, led by Beverage Editor Jason Cousins.
• Wild Seed ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit focused on native plant education, partnered as May Community Spirits recipient with nature walk event hosted at Three of Strong.
• Portland Crafting GirliesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal crafting group hosting workshops at Three of Strong, donating proceeds to non-profits including Wild Seed Project.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cutwater Spirits: San Diego-based craft distillery with a parallel model: premium small-batch spirits (vodka, gin, whiskey, tequila, rum) plus an award-winning ready-to-drink canned cocktail portfolio sold nationwide through chains including Total Wine and Whole Foods. Closest comparable on the RTD + spirits combination and West Coast retail placement.
• Tuthilltown Spirits: New York's Hudson Valley farm distillery and one of the early US craft spirits pioneers; produces small-batch whiskey, gin, vodka and liqueurs, operates a popular tasting room and direct-to-consumer shipping, and serves the events/private function market - closely matching Three of Strong's craft-scale, tasting-room-driven profile.
• St. George Spirits: Alameda, California craft distillery renowned for expressive gin, absinthe, brandy and rum; operates a destination distillery/tasting room and grows via direct-to-consumer and specialty retail distribution, including Whole Foods. Comparable on diverse spirits portfolio, California retail, and tasting-room-led brand building.
• Koval Distillery: Chicago-based certified-organic and kosher craft distillery producing whiskey, gin, vodka, brandy and liqueurs in small batches; built around a tasting-room and DTC model with strong specialty retail presence, directly comparable to Three of Strong's organic / small-batch / tasting-room positioning.

Regional players

• Cold River Vodka: Maine-based craft distillery producing vodka, gin, and whiskey from Maine-grown potatoes and grains. Closest in-region peer sharing Maine distribution dynamics, local sourcing narrative, and same regulatory environment; competes for the same New England craft-spirits consumer and tourism foot traffic.
• Flag Hill Distillery: New Hampshire vineyard and distillery where Three of Strong's master distiller Graham Hamblett previously served as winemaker and distiller. Comparable small-batch profile with on-site tasting room and DTC sales; serves as a regional template for the craft-distillery/tasting-room operating model.
• Green Mountain Distillers: Vermont-based craft distillery producing rum, whiskey, vodka and ready-to-drink spirits using Northeast-sourced inputs; operates a tasting room and ships DTC. Closely comparable on the small-batch, regional-ingredients, tasting-room-driven operating model in the broader New England craft spirits landscape.

Broad incumbents

• Captain Morgan (Diageo): Diageo's flagship spiced and dark rum brand, the category leader against which Three of Strong's rum portfolio (Brightwater, Nightwater, Merrymeeting Spiced, Stone Pier) competes for shelf placement and consumer occasions. Represents the scale competitor Three of Strong must out-position on craft, organic, and local-sourcing narratives.
• Bacardi: The world's largest rum company and owner of multiple premium rum brands. Defines the broader rum category positioning and pricing that frames Three of Strong's craft rum offerings; relevant for benchmarking how a multinational holds premium rum shelves across the same retail accounts.

Emerging players

• High Noon Sun Sips: Mark Anthony Brands' RTD vodka-based canned cocktail line competing for the same at-home, casual-occasion consumer purchasing ready-to-drink cocktails at convenience, grocery and Whole Foods. Most aggressive RTD competitor for shelf placement in the same total-store location that distributes Three of Strong's Hibiscus Lime, Pineapple Maté, Maine Mojito and Stormy Night.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/threeofstrongspirits
• Facebookfacebook.com/Threeofstrongspirits
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/three-of-strong-spirits

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Three of Strong Spirits