Operating out of an old textile mill on the banks of the Saco River, Round Turn Distilling in Biddeford has been serving up their award-winning Bimini Gin since the summer of 2015.
Co-owners Darren Case and Kristina Hansen first met during their high school years at a marina in Maine, where Darren worked tying up boats. What began as a simple friendship gradually blossomed into a partnership, both in life and in business.
Years later, they found themselves living in Brooklyn, but missing home deeply. So in 2014, the duo returned with a vision to start a business together.
Drawn specifically to Biddeford’s community of creative entrepreneurs, Darren and Kristina launched Round Turn Distilling. Despite having no prior experience in distillation and limited financial means, they were fueled by a shared passion: to craft a spirit that truly embodies the warmth and spirit of a Maine coastal summer.
For nearly two years, they worked tirelessly in their apartment using mason jars to create the perfect concoction. Through various methods of trial and error, they were finally able to bottle what they say embodies the brightness and warmth of a sunny summer day in Maine, with a crisp, citrus-forward flavor that feels distinct from more traditional styles. And so is the story of how their infamous Bimini Gin came to be.
As manufacturers, Darren and Kristina acknowledge that managing steady cash flow is one of the more challenging aspects of running their business, as they often must invest heavily in inventory long before production begins. This means purchasing 12 to 24 months’ worth of bottles, labels, caps and raw ingredients in advance.
To support these significant upfront costs, a line of credit and equipment loan from Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution (SBSI) has provided the flexibility they need to make essential purchases in advance without straining their liquid assets.
“Going into this business, we really needed someone to get behind us,” they shared. “If it hadn’t been for SBSI’s willingness to support us and our vision, we wouldn’t have been able to start this business in the first place.”
Among the most significant investments in the distillery is the still itself. These large, technically complex machines are designed to safely boil flammable liquids and condense them into spirits such as gin, vodka, rum or whiskey. Fortunately, they were able to source a still from a manufacturer based in Etna, Maine, that perfectly suited their needs.
Beyond the still, the distillery relies on a full range of essential equipment: mini tanks, an automatic labeling line, a pallet jack, a diaphragm pump and an array of hoses, which all play a vital role in the production process.
As Round Turn Distilling continues to grow, Darren and Kristina remain committed to their roots. They seek to celebrate Maine’s character, support local suppliers and stay closely connected to the Biddeford community that helped launch their dream.
With continued support from SBSI and a passion that still burns as brightly as it did in their early days, they look forward to sharing the taste of a Maine summer with customers, from near and far, for years to come.
