Overview: Namu Distilling Co. has opened a new Korean-American distillery and cocktail bar in Boston’s Mission Hill neighborhood. The facility at 89 Heath St. combines onsite production of soju, gin, and makgeolli with a restaurant serving small plates. Founders Will Blessing and Josh Moss operate the space as an equal marriage of science and art.
The Full Story
Namu Distilling Co. opened its doors on September 17, 2026, in a warm industrial warehouse space at 89 Heath St. The 3,300-square-foot venue accommodates 79 people and functions as both a distillery and a cocktail bar with small-plates restaurant. Founders Will Blessing and Josh Moss met while they were in grad school before leaving corporate jobs in business consulting and drug safety to pursue the project.
The concept is built around both founders, their shared love of spirits and cocktails, and Blessing’s Korean-American identity. Creating Korean spirits—inspired in part by Blessing’s roots—started as a pandemic passion project that became a parachute out of their corporate roles. The couple traveled to Seoul, Busan, and Gyeongju to research local fermentation styles before opening the facility.
Production & Profile
The venue operates as a hybrid space combining distillery production with cocktail bar and small-plates restaurant. The core spirits are produced onsite via complex fermentation and distillation methods. Cocktails balance wit and wild flavors within the warm industrial warehouse setting. The initial offering includes ten original cocktails alongside two zero-proof selections, all utilizing house-made syrups, bitters, and tinctures. Perilla, known as kkaennip, is a fragrant Korean herb cultivated at the founders’ Dorchester home and utilized in the gin.
Brand & Industry History
The initiative began as a pandemic passion project before the founders departed their careers in business consulting and drug safety. Moss is a chemical engineer by training, and Blessing a chemical biologist. Creating Korean spirits—inspired in part by Blessing’s Korean roots—started as a pandemic passion project that became a parachute out of their corporate jobs. The founders identify the location as the sole Korean-American and LGBTQ-owned distillery within the state of Massachusetts.
What This Means
Future plans include distributing spirits across the nation. Currently, patrons can enjoy soju beneath glowing lanterns while experiencing a sense of joy. Special holiday menus are planned for occasions such as Lunar New Year and Korean Thanksgiving. The team spent years managing construction and delays before the location opened.
Consumer Takeaway
Located at 89 Heath St. in Mission Hill, the space operates Tuesday through Saturday between 4 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Diners are introduced to adventurous ingredients and flavors linked to Korean cuisine. A selection of drinks is rotated monthly.
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