As the craft distilling movement continues building considerable momentum on the national scale, here on the homefront it’s on the verge of blowing up in its own big way.

Philadelphia Inquirer’s Craig LaBan delivers an in-depth look at the growing segment, spotlighting six boozy startups in the city and its surrounding communities. Some are already producing and marketing small-batch white whiskeys, ryes and rums, while others are getting ready to launch in the weeks ahead. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the area’s rising artisan stars:

Cooper River Distillers: The Camden-based startup has been producing and selling its Petty’s Island Rum since launching earlier this year.

Hewn Spirits: Located in Pipersville, Bucks County, Hewn Spirits already produces Red Barn Rye, New Moon White Whiskey and the single-malt Reclamation, which is finished with charred hickory, chestnut and oak reclaimed from old Bucks County barns.

La Colombe Torrefaction: The spin-off of celeb adventurer Tod Carmichael’s coffee empire, produces Different Drum, a coffee-based white rum, and is expected to launch a whiskey by year’s end.

Manatawny Still Works: The recently launched craft distiller offers two products, a white whiskey and a white rum, and is one of two boozy startups rooted in the local craft beer movement.

New Liberty Spirits: The whiskey that former Philadelphia Distilling master distiller Robert Cassell has resting on wood at his Kensington facility won’t be fit for consumption until 2016. In the meantime he’s launching the heritage brand Kinsey, a blended spirit inspired by a long forgotten local label.

Rowhouse Spirits: Former Philadelphia Brewing Company Dean Browne is the brains behind this Kensington startup. In the works are a pot-stilled Irish white whiskey, Bear Trap, an herbal spirit similar to Jagermeister, and a gin.

Photo: Manatawny Still Works