Mike Reppucci

“From Stocks to a Startup”

Michael C. Reppucci, 46, is the founder of Sons of Liberty Spirits Company (SOL). Mike is a Rhode Island native whose journey from finance to distilling is a testament to passion, risk, and a deep-rooted love for distillation. A true native of New England, Reppucci spent his early years immersed as an insider in Rhode Island's rich Italian-American culture. He fondly recalls making wine with his father and cousin, a tradition that ignited his interest in spirits. But before venturing into the world of spirits, Reppucci had a successful career in investments. However, in 2009, driven by his curiosity and ambition, he decided to leave his finance career and pursue his dream of starting a distillery. This bold move led to the establishment of Sons of Liberty Spirits Company in South Kingstown, Rhode Island.

SOL started off in 2012 by debuting "Uprising," an American single malt whiskey. Reppucci’s  philosophy was simple yet revolutionary: brew the best beer possible, then distill it into whiskey, ensuring that all of the brew’s rich, nutty flavors shine through. This approach led to the creation of award-winning spirits that garnered international acclaim. The distillery's commitment to quality and innovation has resulted in numerous accolades, including the title of "World's Best Flavored Whiskey" at the 2014 World Whiskies Awards. Additionally, Sons of Liberty was named "American Craft Producer of the Year" in 2017 by Whisky Magazine. Sons of Liberty is no stranger to accolades, having now earned more than 120 awards for their products and company since that auspicious 2012 launch.

While the premiere of"Uprising" was a significant milestone, it was in 2023 that SOL released an aged spirit born from a unique collaboration. Called “Narragansett,” the special bottling was distilled from local ‘Bancroft Up or Down Ale,’ then aged for five years in new American oak barrels. Only about 900 bottles of the spirit were produced, and the 90-proof release was, unfortunately, only sold in Rhode Island liquor stores. Then, in 2024, Sons of Liberty confidently launched their first bourbon, an inaugural release to their Barrel Selection Series. For the special Series, SOL relied on sourced whiskies, with Reppucci handpicking what he felt to be the best barrels for the sole purpose of enhancing their flavor through finishing. “For this Bourbon, we have selected barrels that match a flavor profile we are looking for,” explained Reppucci. “We then bring them in-house to finish them with a blend of toasted oak staves to complement and enhance the starting Bourbon.”