The News
Tamworth Distilling announced Skeeter’s Nootkatone Flavored Whiskey, a 120 proof whiskey that can be sprayed on cocktails to repel mosquitoes. The product is available online and at the distillery's bottle shop in Tamworth, NH. It was inspired by New Hampshire's peak summer mosquito season and uses nootkatone, a naturally occurring compound.
Trade professionals scan press releases for headlines that reveal new distribution channels or pricing changes. In this case we examine how Tamworth Distilling’s “Skeeter’s Nootkatone Flavored Whiskey” affects bars, distributors, and retailers who balance novelty against shelf economics.
Tamworth’s launch demonstrates that, in the crowded flavored‑whiskey market valued at about $1.2 billion in 2024, niche products succeed when they combine a functional claim with an engaging narrative. By adding nootkatone—a 120‑proof spirit infused with an EPA‑registered biopesticide from grapefruit peel—Tamworth offers a product that addresses mosquito concerns for outdoor drinkers in New Hampshire during peak season.
The press release highlights direct‑to‑consumer availability in 45 states and on‑site sales at the distillery’s bottle shop. Industry data shows only 28 states have fully legalized DTC spirits shipping as of January 2026, a discrepancy that suggests potential regulatory workarounds, though details remain unclear.
Because the product is sold in a 100 ml spray bottle and a 375 ml refill can—intended as a cocktail modifier with 2–3 sprays per drink—the SKU’s small size positions it well for tasting rooms, outdoor festivals, or as a specialty add‑on on bar menus rather than bulk retail consumption.
The press release also notes that the whiskey is a blended base flavored with grapefruit, eucalyptus, lemongrass, coconut, and campfire smoke. While marketed primarily as a flavor enhancer, its nootkatone content provides a functional benefit by deterring mosquitoes during May to mid‑July in New Hampshire.
Because craft distilleries represent about 18 % of U.S. spirits production, differentiation plays a key role. Tamworth’s “wilderness‑to‑bottle” philosophy—using ingredients sourced within 150 miles—aligns with the brand’s broader narrative and supports its niche positioning.
Online DTC alcohol sales reached $5.8 billion in 2025, about 7 % of total off‑premise spirits sales, underscoring the viability of Tamworth’s direct‑to‑consumer model. However, only 28 states had fully legalized such shipping at the time of the release, so distributors must navigate fragmented state laws before expanding shelf presence.
The product’s dual function—flavor enhancement and mosquito deterrence—offers a unique selling proposition in a category that is growing steadily but remains dominated by larger brands. For local operators in New Hampshire, where craft distillery density ranks among the top ten U.S. states (one per 38,000 residents), Skeeter’s can be marketed as a hometown specialty that satisfies both taste and practical needs.
Original Press Release
From the experimental minds at Tamworth Distilling comes Skeeter’s Nootkatone Flavored Whiskey, a first-of-its-kind “whiskito” created for one simple purpose: better outdoor drinking. Designed to be sprayed on cocktails, Skeeter’s enhances aroma, brightens flavor, and helps keep the focus where it belongs—on the drink, not the distractions. Because when the sun goes down, the only buzz you should be dealing with is the one in your glass. Skeeter’s (120 proof) is available online for nationwide shipping and in person at the bottle shop on site at Tamworth Distilling (15 Cleveland Hill Rd, Tamworth, NH).
Known for boundary-pushing, nature-driven spirits, Skeeter’s continues the distillery’s tradition of transforming the unexpected into something remarkably drinkable—while injecting a sense of playfulness and interactivity into the ritual of making and sipping cocktails at home. Inspired by New Hampshire’s peak summer season, when over 40 mosquito species emerge, the release reflects Tamworth’s ongoing dialogue between the natural world and the glass.
“Anyone from rural New Hampshire knows that bug season, which happens from May to mid-July, is no joke—we have mosquitoes and black flies the size of pterodactyls,” said Tamworth Distilling founder Steven Grasse. “At Tamworth Distilling, we draw inspiration from the land around us, and Skeeter’s is no exception. Skeeter’s is our premium solution to a pesky problem.”
At the heart of Skeeter’s is nootkatone, a naturally occurring compound found in grapefruit peel. Celebrated for its crisp, citrus-forward aroma, nootkatone brings a bright, refreshing character to the spirit—one that just happens to be less appealing to mosquitoes. The result is a more harmonious outdoor drinking experience, achieved through flavor rather than force.
“What started as a moment of frustration outdoors turned into a question: how do we make the experience better without compromising the drink?” said Matt Power of Tamworth Distilling. “Skeeter’s is designed to enhance what’s already in your glass—while making sure nothing else gets in the way.”
Built on a blended whiskey base, Skeeter’s balances a warm, woodsy foundation with lifted, aromatic top notes. Fresh grapefruit leads, followed by layers of eucalyptus, lemongrass, and soft green botanicals. Notes of very ripe citrus, coconut, fire-toasted marshmallow, and eucalyptus leaf are present on the nose; after a few minutes, it settles into a steady coconut-and-grapefruit-esque aroma, lending a campfire-smoke element. The profile is vibrant, slightly bitter, and clean—designed to complement cocktails rather than compete with them.
True to Tamworth Distilling’s “wilderness-to-bottle” philosophy, Skeeter’s is both playful and purposeful, blending natural ingredients, modern fermentation techniques, and a distinctly New England sense of place. It’s a spirit that doesn’t just belong at the bar, but outdoors, in the environments that inspired it.
Skeeter’s Nootkatone Flavored Whiskey (120 proof) launches for direct-to-consumer online purchase to 45 states, and is available online for nationwide shipping and in person at the bottle shop on site at Tamworth Distilling (15 Cleveland Hill Rd, Tamworth, NH).
COCKTAIL RECIPES
Whiskito Old Fashioned
Photo: Whiskito Old Fashioned (Photo Credit: Quaker City Mercantile)
2 oz Tamworth Distilling Chocorua Maple Rye
2 oz Tamworth Distilling Chocorua Maple Rye
0.5 oz Demerara syrup
0.5 oz Demerara syrup
2–3 dashes orange bitters
2–3 dashes orange bitters
Cocktail cherry
Cocktail cherry
2–3 sprays Skeeter’s Nootkatone Flavored Whiskey
2–3 sprays Skeeter’s Nootkatone Flavored Whiskey
Stirred up | Cherry garnish
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Skeeter Spritz
Photo: Skeeter Spritz (Photo Credit: Quaker City Mercantile)
1.5 oz Tamworth Garden White Mountain Gin
1.5 oz Tamworth Garden White Mountain Gin
0.5 oz Tamworth Garden Mountain Berry Cordial
0.5 oz Tamworth Garden Mountain Berry Cordial
Topped with Fever-Tree Sparkling Grapefruit
Topped with Fever-Tree Sparkling Grapefruit
2–3 sprays Skeeter’s Nootkatone Flavored Whiskey
2–3 sprays Skeeter’s Nootkatone Flavored Whiskey
Grapefruit slice garnish
Grapefruit slice garnish
Instructions: Add gin and cordial to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Pour over fresh ice, top with Fever-Tree Sparkling Grapefruit, and add 2–3 sprays of Skeeter’s. Garnish with a grapefruit slice.
Sources consulted (web research):
- Tamworth Distilling Debuts Mosquitorepelling Whiskey Summers Most Une…
- Skeeters Nootkatone Flavored Whiskey
- Skeeters Nootkatone Whiskey Mosquito 20260520
- Attraction Review G46245 D8837300 Reviews Tamworth Distilling Tamwort…
Source: BevNET