‘Law & Order: SVU’ Star Chris Meloni Implores You to Drink Connecticut Bourbon — Not Kentucky — in Campaign for Mine Hill Distillery

Chris Meloni pictured in Roxbury, Connecticut. (Photo: Mine Hill Distillery)

Contrary to common misconception, Kentucky is not the only state in the U.S. where bourbon can legally be distilled. Taking aim at the spirit’s southern-centric reputation, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” alum Christopher Meloni is encouraging whiskey lovers to take a 13-hour drive northeast to the great state of Connecticut.

The actor has teamed up with Roxbury’s Mine Hill Distillery to highlight its collection of bourbons and gins in a series of playful ads. In place of an NYPD uniform, Meloni dons a British redcoat outfit (and an admittedly cheesy accent) to discuss the “Constitution” state’s liquor legacy.

“What’s the first thing you think of when I say bourbon? That’s right… Connecticut!” Meloni says in the video. “Sure, Kentucky is a close second with its Pappy this and Maker’s that, but it’s Connecticut bourbon you should be thinking of.”

Mine Hill, the distillery behind the campaign, was founded in 2018 by Roxbury native Elliot Davis. The brand was taken over by author and craft spirits historian Zachary Karabell in 2023, who currently oversees the distillery’s operations within a converted cigar factory alongside master distiller Chris Byles.

Using locally sourced ingredients from the nearby Thrall family farm, Mine Hill produces gin, amaro, bourbon, rye and vodka.

“Our spirits are a unique blend of old Connecticut and new, and while the state may not yet be known as a hub of craft distilleries, we hope this campaign and, of course, the spirits themselves energize people to try what we have to offer,” Karabell said in a news release.

In another video, Meloni ditches the old-timey military uniform in favor of a vest to discuss Mine Hill’s gin, fittingly distilled with Connecticut white pine, Connecticut grain and Connecticut water. If you’re a fan of the Chestnut State (or of Meloni’s increasingly tongue-in-cheek ad campaigns), find out more about Mine Hill Distillery here.

Join the Whiskey Raiders Bottle of the Month Club, where you will receive hard-to-find bottles curated by Whiskey Raiders staff with a 90+ rating on whiskeyraiders.com plus live virtual tastings. Sign up here!