This Distillery Solved an Invasive Species Problem With Crab Whiskey

Distillers have always been the mad scientists of the food and drink world. These are the folks who wake up one morning and think, “What if I threw this weird thing in a barrel and made it drinkable?” Over the years we’ve seen bacon vodkas, peanut butter beers, and even pizza-flavored brews. But Tamworth Distilling up in New Hampshire may have just claimed the crown for quirkiest creation yet: Crab Trapper Whiskey.

Photo From: Tamworth Distilling Website

The idea comes from Steven Grasse, the creator behind Hendrick’s Gin and Sailor Jerry Rum, who founded Tamworth Distilling & Mercantile in 2015. His distillery has a reputation for pushing boundaries, experimenting with local and foraged ingredients, and producing spirits you won’t find anywhere else. Past projects have included durian fruit brandy and a venison-infused whiskey—so Crab Trapper fits right into the lineup.

What sets this release apart is that it’s not just another novelty. Crab Trapper is rooted in sustainability. Tamworth partnered with the University of New Hampshire to find a creative use for the invasive European green crab, a species that has been wreaking havoc along New England’s coastline for more than a century. Their population has exploded in recent years due to warming waters, and they’ve become a major ecological problem—destroying habitats, outcompeting native species, and threatening the lobster industry.

Photo From: Tamworth Distilling Instagram

The distillery’s solution was to give the crabs a second act. For Crab Trapper, the crustaceans are distilled into a stock with neutral grain spirits, then blended with a mix of spices you’d normally associate with a seafood boil: bay leaf, mustard seed, and other aromatics. That savory-spiced base is then combined with a four-year-old bourbon, creating something that’s equal parts unexpected and innovative.

As for the flavor? Think of it as a coastal twist on a classic. Descriptions range from “a briny Fireball” to notes of Old Bay seasoning layered with vanilla and pepper. It’s a whiskey that leans into the oceanic influence without losing its bourbon backbone, offering a taste that’s both familiar and surprising.

Crab Trapper Whiskey is a prime example of why the craft spirits world is so fascinating right now. It blends culinary creativity with ecological problem-solving, resulting in a bottle that tells a story as much as it delivers a pour. Whether you reach for it out of curiosity or as a conversation starter, one thing is certain: it captures the experimental spirit of modern distilling in a way few drinks can.