Luke Davidson, managing partner and head distiller at Maine Craft Distilling in Portland, uses an instrument called a "thief" to syphon whiskey from a wooden keg, a process done about every three weeks to assess how the whiskey is aging.

Moseman of Maine Craft Distilling in Portland, shovels barley on to the floor.

Wesley Moseman of Maine Craft Distilling in Portland, holds barley during the floor malting step.

Wesley Moseman of Maine Craft Distilling in Portland, rakes barley during the floor malting step.

Maine Craft Distilling whiskey ages in wooden barrels in the Portland location.

Single malt whiskey from Maine Craft Distilling.

Ashley Hoffman, left, of Portland and Catherine Rodriquez, from California, taste test a nip of Eight Bells Rum, one of the products made at New England Distilling.

One of Maine Craft Distilling's products is a single malt whiskey.

Brothers Eric and Ian Michaud operate In'finiti Fermentation and Distillation in Portland. John Patriquin/Staff Photographer

Old Port White Oak Whiskey is one of many kinds of liquors produced at In'finiti Fermentation and Distillation in Portland.

Liquid evaporates in the still that will make alcohol for whiskey at In'finiti Fermentation and Distillation in Portland.

A 10-gallon wood barrel of whiskey aging at In'finiti Fermentation and Distillation in Portland.

Distiller Ian Michaud pours grain into a copper mashtun for making beer at In'finiti Fermentation and Distillation in Portland.

Surrounded by photos of his great grandfather's distilleries in Maryland, Ned Wight, owner of New England Distilling, shows his three products.

Tim Fisher, Distiller for New England Distilling, cleans the three 700 gallon stainless steel fermenters he uses to begin the process of making Gunpowder Rye Whiskey.

Tim Fisher, Distiller for New England Distilling, reads a hydrometer to check the proof of the spirit. He extracted the liquid from two 250 gallon copper stills, as he makes Gunpowder Rye Whiskey.

New England Distilling makes three products: Ingenium Gin, Eight Bells Rum and Gunpowder Whiskey. The distilled products have won medals for their high quality and originality from various taste testing competitions, according to Ned Wight.