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I’ve enjoyed getting to know the proprietors of Little Water Distillery over the years.
It’s funny. I feel like I know Mark Ganter and Guy Zompa pretty well too.
But how can that be when I only see them at charity events they sponsor? This alone should give you an indication of how many events they participate in every year for our community.
Amongst the many notches on the LWD sponsorship belt was an event we did together at their place for the Atlantic City Arts Foundation.
It was a Valentine’s comedy show called Little Love Lotta Laughs in 2018. What I remember about it most vividly is when I walked in to set up,
Mark was on the floor with tools as he looked up and said, “I built you a stage.”
And there it was.
Pallets and boards put together in front of casks four shelves high. If that isn’t quality customer service and going the extra mile, I don’t know what is.
In between getting hit up for one event or another, these folks managed to make over a half-dozen quality spirits and built a viable business.
That business turns A.C.’s favorite lucky number this week: 7. Located in a warehouse on Baltic Avenue, the staff of Little Water Distillery welcome guests for well-made cocktails, tours, merch and of course, plenty of carry out hooch.
Breaking AC got an opportunity to ask Mark a few questions about the anniversary coming up. Which for the avid rum drinker, includes the release of the three-year aged Prosperity Rum Distiller’s Select and doughnuts!
BreakingAC: How did you settle upon the name? We are on an island after all. And the ocean is pretty big.
Mark Ganter: This was something my late brother and partner Eric suggested. We wanted to create a name for our business that paid homage to its location on Absecon Island. Absecon is a native American word for “little water” or “low water,” which is what the Lenape Native Americans call the barrier island Atlantic City is built on.
(Sadly, as mentioned, Mark lost his brother and partner, Eric. But not before a third partner was added into the mix.)
BAC: What about your partner, Guy Zompa?
MG: Guy began working with Eric and me shortly after we opened. He had all the heart, inspiration and motivation to build this company. We felt it was only natural that he would join the company when the opportunity came along.
BAC: Can you tell us about the unique names of your spirits?
MG: We have five core brands of spirits, each uniquely named and branded:
48 Blocks Vodka, 48 Blocks Espresso Martini and 48 Blocks Chocolate Martini are all named for Atlantic City which is 48 Blocks long running North to South.
(NOTE: He modestly left out that he has consistently donated a portion of every vodka purchase to the Atlantic City Arts Foundation.)
Liberty Rum and Prosperity Rum are named for the state motto: Liberty and Prosperity.
Whitecap Whiskey and Whitecap Barrel Aged Old Fashioned are named for the white-capped mountains of the Appalachians, where we first developed the brand, and to the white-capped shores of Atlantic City, where we aged and released it.
BAC: The structure has been a few different things.
MG: The building was used for a number things over the years from the site of the Tumble Inn to an ice house, a building supply shop, to the warehouse for Calvi Electric during the Revel Casino construction.
BAC: Even during the pandemic, this little business that could, stayed active. I remember visiting and getting two free bottles of hand cleaner at a very pivotal time.
During the pandemic, the federal government licensed distilleries for hand sanitizer due to the national shortage. We were thrown into it during a time when supply chains in every industry were broken but we were fortunate enough to figure out how to procure what we needed and make a significant contribution to filling the area’s shortage.
BAC: So what’s the future of LWD?
I wish I could predict that. Our future is only as bright as our products are welcome in the area and purchased by the local market. We will continue to produce what we believe are some of the highest quality and most accessibly priced spirits on the market. We’ll continue to work to make them available at the bars, restaurants and stores in the area and look forward to one day being known as Atlantic City and the region’s preferred spirits brands.”
So, If you ever find yourself in a gift emergency, the distillery is a quick stop that will please any recipient.
There’s more than just bottles. Grab a couple glasses or a shirt to fill a unique basket.
Pro Tip: if anyone reading this married a gin drinker, I picked up a bottle of Rusted Revolver for my spouse on our sixth anniversary and it was well received with quite a chuckle.
If you don’t know, the traditional gift for year six is iron.
You also may not know the name of the gin is an homage to an actual antique rusted revolver found on the grounds during construction for the building.
Be sure to wish Little Water Distillery a happy seventh anniversary in-person or on their socials.
And please, when ordering, make Mark proud of his relentless marketing efforts and order his product by name in every bar like he does.
For example, you don’t want whiskey and ginger. You want a White Cap and ginger. But FYI, it’s smooth enough to drink straight.
This weekend, the distillery will celebrate its anniversary with live music and doughnut pairings with DonutNV.
The details can be found on their social media.
Their comprehensive website includes their historic timeline, online reservations (a must in-season) and locations where to find their spirits at your local store if the whole “address is Baltic, but you enter from Lexington Avenue” confuses you.
It’s worth a click to read the FAQ section. Mark is never afraid to add a “zing” here and there. He’s funny in person too. Just ask him. IYKYK 😉
If you go, there’s free street parking plus limited spaces in their lot.
There’s a brewery next door if you have a date that only drinks beer.
Speaking of dates. You can enjoy the perfect hang here. The food menu is endless because in New Jersey, distilleries can’t sell food. You are welcome to bring in any takeout you like.
And as Mark and Guy can attest, I’m not ashamed to walk in with a big ol’ bucket of chicken.
You can even finish your evening out at the ax-throwing place next door! Or, um, maybe you better go throwing axes first.
