A Toast to Summer: Award-Winning Spirits from Cathedral Ledge Distillery

June 19, 2026

We’re halfway through June, and the season is filled with reasons to celebrate.

From weddings and anniversaries to graduations, Father’s Day and backyard barbecues, June is a month of gathering with family and friends. It’s also the month of the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, and the Strawberry Moon — making it one of New Hampshire’s most beautiful times of year.

If you’re looking for a unique gift or something special to share at your next celebration, be sure to stop by Cathedral Ledge Distillery at the Salem NH Farmers Market.

A market partner since 2024, Cathedral Ledge Distillery was founded by Christopher and Tracy Burk and operates from a beautiful timber-frame barn in North Conway. The distillery proudly holds the distinction of being New Hampshire’s only USDA-certified organic distillery.

Named after the iconic 700-foot granite cliff overlooking the White Mountains, Cathedral Ledge reflects the rugged beauty and craftsmanship that define the region. Every spirit is produced with a commitment to quality, transparency and traditional methods.

Using certified organic grains and pure, unfiltered water from Mount Washington, Cathedral Ledge creates handcrafted whiskey, bourbon, vodka, gin and aquavit. Their whiskeys are double distilled in traditional pot stills and aged in American white oak barrels. Every bottle is made without artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or sweeteners, and every spirit is third-party verified as gluten-free before it reaches the shelf.

That dedication to doing things the right way continues to earn recognition on the world stage. At the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the industry’s most respected competitions, Cathedral Ledge received medals across several of its spirits. Their Maple Liqueur and Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon earned bronze medals, their gin received silver, and their Bottled-in-Bond Rye captured gold. Even more impressive, their barrel-rested gin — aged in former rye whiskey barrels — earned a coveted Double Gold medal and was named second best in the world in its category.

The distillery was also selected to represent New Hampshire in Lost Lantern’s special bourbon release celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. The independent Vermont bottler traveled the country seeking standout bourbons from across the United States, making Cathedral Ledge’s inclusion a tremendous honor.

Of course, awards are only part of the story.

“We’re focusing on what we do best: connecting with people over some great spirits,” says founder Chris Burk.

Visitors to the market this summer will want to keep an eye out for the return of one of Cathedral Ledge’s most anticipated seasonal releases: Maple Cask Bourbon. The process is uniquely New Hampshire. After aging bourbon in oak barrels, the barrels are sent to Meridian Hill Maple Farm, where organic maple syrup is aged inside them. The “sticky barrels” are then returned to Cathedral Ledge, where bourbon spends an additional year maturing. The result is a remarkably rich, limited-edition bourbon that Chris describes simply as “incredible.”

The distillery has also recently launched a single-barrel, barrel-strength program for restaurants, bars and whiskey groups, allowing partners to select exclusive barrels bottled just for them.

And for those wondering about Belle, the distillery’s four-legged ambassador, she’s back on full-time greeting duty — welcoming visitors with plenty of affection while making sure delivery drivers know who’s in charge. Her latest adventure? Attempting to befriend a skunk, an encounter that left a rather memorable impression.

If your summer travels take you north, Cathedral Ledge Distillery is open seven days a week just outside North Conway. The distillery welcomes families, dogs and anyone looking to enjoy a flight, handcrafted cocktail or exclusive bottle available only at the distillery. This December, they’ll celebrate six years in business with special anniversary releases.

Whether you visit them at the Salem NH Farmers Market or make the trip to the White Mountains, Cathedral Ledge Distillery offers more than exceptional spirits. It offers a taste of New Hampshire craftsmanship, hospitality and tradition. Raise a glass to summer, celebrate local, and toast to the memories still waiting to be made.