US distillery ordered to close over name change

A distillery in the US state of Vermont has been reportedly forced to close due to an issue with its name change.

St Johnsbury Distillery, formerly known as Dunc’s Mill, was forced to shut down over its name change

St Johnsbury Distillery, formerly known as Dunc’s Mill, was given a cease and desist order from a federal agency last week.

Owners Dan Hughes, Brendan Hughes and Brian Garvey, purchased the distillery from Duncan Holoday last month. Holoday will continue in his role as master distiller for a year.

The new owners planned to move the distillery from Barnet to St Johnsbury in Vermont, hence the name change.

Dan Hughes, one of the owners, told the Caledonian Record: “We’ve been given a cease and desist order because we were under the impression that we could use and continue to operate under Duncan’s permits as long as we filed within a 30-day period from closing. Because of the name change, I guess that’s not true.”

The owners are awaiting approval from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, before the cease and desist order can be lifted and they can reopen.

St Johnsbury Distillery produces four rums including Dunc’s Maple Rum, Dunc’s Elderflower Rum, Back Woods Reserve Rum and Vermont Rum.

The Spirits Business has contacted St Johnsbury Distillery for further comment.