A full-time science teacher at Scituate High School, Carlo Catucci found himself performing some tasty experiments at home. Crafting spirits in a 10-gallon pot, Carlo discovered he had a knack for distilling. As he developed his skills, family and friends encouraged him to turn his hobby into a business.

Making the leap a few years later, Catucci invested in a 50-gallon commercial distiller to make small-batch gin and whisky. But he soon discovered that launching an official distillery in Rhode Island (while keeping up with teaching) was no small task. He turned to the RISBDC for critical support navigating the tasks and regulations required to bring White Dog Distilling to the wider audience it deserved.

RISBDC Director Amit Basnet helped Catucci and his White Dog co-owners–wife Alecia Catucci and friends Vincent Greene and Eric Sylvestre–throughout the business development process. Over an exhaustive two years of collaboration, Basnet and other counselors provided support for business planning, permitting, code compliance, financial counseling, marketing, and more.

In April of 2018, White Dog Distilling opened in Pawtucket as the first distillery in northern Rhode Island, and the only one (of three) in the Ocean State to manufacture rum, whiskey, gin and bourbon. The RISBDC helped Catucci plan a media blitz and grand opening event with local business leaders. The ribbon cutting and public relations campaign helped White Dog earn major buzz and press in top local outlets including Rhode Island Monthly, Providence Journal, and the Valley Breeze.

White Dog currently offers its products exclusively from its tasting room, with future plans for distribution. Don’t miss a chance to say hi and sample the fruits of Catucci’s hard labor–and science!–next time you’re in the neighborhood. 

WHITE DOG DISTILLING
560 Mineral Spring Avenue, Unit 2-143
Pawtucket, RI, 02860
HOURS: Saturdays 1 – 5pm
Call: 401-475-3789