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Whiskeys at Crowded Barrel Whiskey Co.
Whiskeys at Crowded Barrel Whiskey Co.
Crowded Barrel Whiskey Co./Facebook

15 Austin-Area Distilleries for Spirited Tastings

Texas whiskeys, vodkas, gins, rum, and sotol

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Whiskeys at Crowded Barrel Whiskey Co.
| Crowded Barrel Whiskey Co./Facebook

Austin’s distillery boom shows no signs of abating. With over 20 active spirit brands in Central Texas, local drinkers are visiting distilleries in more frequent numbers, and destination tasting rooms are on the rise.

Below are Austin’s spirit brands with regular public hours for distilleries and tours — opening hours and days sometimes vary seasonally, so call before heading out for the latest information. As always, and especially with spirits, designating a driver is a must.

Important note: Many Austin-based brands such as Genius Liquids, Playa Real Tequila, Dulce Vida Spirits, Texacello (Paula’s Texas Orange), Tito’s, and Tequila 512 do not currently have public-facing tasting rooms. This map will be updated should this change.

For those looking to learn more, Eater took a deeper look at how Austin distilleries make use of local ingredients in spirit production. For more drinking, there are the Austin-area’s best breweries and Central Texas wineries. In Austin, there are the best cocktail bars and hot new ones.

Know of a missing Austin-area distillery below? Let Eater know through the tipline or within the comments.

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Banner Distilling Co.

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Spirits: Vodka, wheat whiskey

Since 2011, this Manor distillery has produced both a small-batch vodka made with Texas rainwater and a “mill-to-sill” wheat whiskey with an unconventional 95 percent wheat-slash-five percent barley mash bill. Both spirits have won gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Tours and tastings: Saturday and Sunday, $10 per person, advance appointment suggested

Pouring vodka at Banner Distilling Co.
Pouring vodka at Banner Distilling Co.
Banner Distilling Co./Facebook

Treaty Oak Distilling Ranch

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Spirits: Bourbon, gin
After some brand streamlining over the past year, Treaty Oak’s beloved Fitzhugh Road location now concentrates on whiskey and gin spirits, along with its own craft beer. The tasting room offers flights of spirits or local wine ($10), along with a selection of a half-dozen cocktails ($8 to $12). Onsite restaurant Alice’s is open Thursday through Sunday with barbecue from pitmaster Scott Fogle (formerly of Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ) along with salads, sandwiches, and snacks.
Tours and tastings: Tasting room is open daily; tours are offered on Saturday at $15 per person

Treaty Oak Distilling Ranch in Dripping Springs
Treaty Oak Distilling Ranch
Treaty Oak Distilling Ranch/Facebook

Revolution Spirits Distilling Co.

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Spirits: Gin, amaro
Part of the Fitzhugh Road drinks trail, Revolution is well worth a stop for its high-quality gin and its “cafecito” coffee liqueur made with Cuvee Coffee. Over a dozen cocktails ($3 to $8) and slushies ($12) are available from the bar. You’ll also find the occasional tasting room special of fruit liqueur flights done in partnership with neighbor Jester King Brewery.
Tours and tastings: Friday through Sunday; tours are available by request

Revolution Spirits Distilling Co.
Revolution Spirits Distilling Co.
Revolution Spirits Distilling Co./Facebook

Still Austin Whiskey Co.

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Spirits: Whiskey, gin
After a long wait, Still Austin now has bourbon whiskey available, and the young upstart also pours other three whiskeys and a Texas rye gin. There are cocktails available ($10), and the beautiful facility has a large, sociable porch with lawn games. The distillery’s convenient location in the St. Elmo area is an easy trip, and both food trailer Soursop and coffee shop Spokesman are in the complex for post-visit snacks.
Tours and tastings: Thursday through Sunday, $15 to $40 per person

Still Austin Whiskey Co.
Still Austin Whiskey Co.
Still Austin Whiskey Co. [Official]

Garrison Brothers Distillery

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Spirits: Whiskey
Book ahead for a “sit-and-sip” tour here in the quiet town of Hye. Tours are scheduled online ($10 per guest) and include a tour and tasting. Since opening the first legal Texas whiskey distillery in 2010, Garrison Brothers have won numerous awards. It remains focused solely on bourbon-style whiskey, with limited releases like Balmorhea (twice-barreled bourbon) and Estacado (port-finished bourbon) in high demand.
Tours and tastings: Wednesday through Sunday, by appointment only at $10 per person

San Luis Spirits

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Spirits: Vodka, gin, bourbon
The scoop: One of Austin’s stalwart distillers, San Luis Spirits produces both Dripping Springs Vodka and Gin, as well as 1876 Vodka. The distillery offer ten tours per week, which includes a tasting and a shot glass, or regular tasting flights for $8. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, there are also cocktails utilizing its spirits.
Tours and tastings: Tasting room and tours Monday through Saturday; book in advance for tours at $16 per person

Dripping Springs Vodka’s distillery
Dripping Springs Vodka’s distillery
Dripping Springs Vodka/Facebook

Deep Eddy Vodka Distillery

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Spirits: Vodka
Austin’s runaway hit spirit brand (owned by Kentucky whiskey giant Heaven Hill) pours four-flavor flights ($10) and fifteen craft cocktails ($7-$9) of its regular and flavored vodkas within a modern tasting room near Dripping Springs that expanded in spring 2019. Food trucks like Garbo’s are often onsite on weekends. Food bonus: on the way, those coming from Austin drive past Neapolitan pizza and pastrami spot Pieous and barbecue and Cajun restaurant the Switch, making for an excellent weekend doubleheader.
Tours and tastings: Thursday through Sunday

Deep Eddy Vodka’s tasting room
Deep Eddy Vodka’s tasting room
Deep Eddy Vodka/Facebook

Frog Pond Distillery

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Spirits: Gin, vodka
The scoop: A newer distillery in the Dripping Springs area, Frog Pond is a casual spot serving up cocktails (for just $5) made with its pot still-produced gin and vodka. Vodka tonics, gin fizzes, and mules are usually available, along with rotating specials. Neat spirits samples are offered free of charge.
Tours and tastings: Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 7 p.m.

Frog Pond Distillery’s bottles
Frog Pond Distillery’s bottles
Frog Distillery/Facebook

Desert Door Distillery

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Spirits: Sotol
The scoop: Desert Door has a welcoming tasting room with indoor and outdoor seating, lawn games, and a rotating menu of craft cocktails priced at $9 to $11. Neat copitas are available for $7. This is only four miles from Salt Lick, making for a great combination weekend road trip with friends.
Tours and tastings: Thursday through Sunday; tours available on Friday and Saturday at noon and 1 p.m., bookable in advance online

Desert Door Distillery’s tasting room
Desert Door Distillery’s tasting room
Desert Door Distillery/Facebook

Kooper Family Whiskey Co.

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Spirits: Whiskey
Troy and Michelle Kooper produce three different whiskeys: a blended rye, a cask strength rye, and a small batch bourbon. The tasting room offers a flight of all three, and the band has attracted a strong cult following across Texas. 

Tours and tastings: Friday and Saturday, 2 to 7 p.m.; tastings from Tuesday through Thursday are available by advance appointment

Whiskey tasting at Kooper Family Whiskey Co.
Whiskey tasting at Kooper Family Whiskey Co.
Kooper Family Whiskey Co./Facebook

Crowded Barrel Whiskey Co

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Spirits: Whiskey
The producers of the popular Whiskey Vault YouTube channel are behind this new spot near Salt Lick. Crowded Barrel produces some unconventional products: the Alliance series offers unusual barrels from out-of-state distillers, while the flagship Eleanor is cask strength MGP Indiana bourbon with a 75 percent corn mash bill.
Tours and tastings: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

The tasting room at Crowded Barrel Whiskey Co.
The tasting room at Crowded Barrel Whiskey Co.
Crowded Barrel Whiskey Co./Facebook

Stinson Distilling

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Spirits: Vodka, rum, brandy
Also located near both Salt Lick and Desert Door, Driftwood’s Stinson Distilling makes small batches of a wide array of spirits and liqueurs.

Tours and tastings: Wednesday through Sunday; selected tastings are free of charge; group visits are encouraged (parties of six or more should call ahead)

Stinson Distilling’s shots
Stinson Distilling’s shots
Stinson Distilling/Facebook

Real Ale Brewing Company

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Spirits: Gin, whiskey
After two decades in the beer business, Real Ale began working on a whiskey and gin program which launched in 2017. The distillery currently produces one gin and two whiskeys priced from $50 to $65 that are only sold at the taproom. (Cocktails are also available.)  It’s a fun Hill Country stop for those passing through Blanco, since you can also sample the excellent beers.
Tours and tastings: Wednesday through Sunday; to-go sales aren’t available on Sundays

Real Spirits Distilling Co. barrel
Real Spirits Distilling Co. barrel
Real Spirits Distillng Co./Facebook

Violet Crown

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Spirits: Absinthe, cordials, liqueurs

This unconventional distillery is producing esoteric spirits in Bastrop — try the collaboration with downtown bar Midnight Cowboy, the Midnight Marigold, a bitter cordial, or accent a cocktail with the 140-proof Emerald Absinthe. There’s also a jasmine liqueur.

Tours and tastings: By request, call for details

Ben Milam Whiskey Distillery

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Spirits: Whiskey

Ben Milam started by aging Tennessee and Kentucky whiskey, and has recently expanded with its Milam & Greene line, a triple-cask bourbon made from Hill Country and Tennessee spirits, and a port barrel-finished rye. 

Tours and tastings: Friday and Saturday; flights available for $10.50 to $17.50 per person

Banner Distilling Co.

Spirits: Vodka, wheat whiskey

Since 2011, this Manor distillery has produced both a small-batch vodka made with Texas rainwater and a “mill-to-sill” wheat whiskey with an unconventional 95 percent wheat-slash-five percent barley mash bill. Both spirits have won gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Tours and tastings: Saturday and Sunday, $10 per person, advance appointment suggested

Pouring vodka at Banner Distilling Co.
Pouring vodka at Banner Distilling Co.
Banner Distilling Co./Facebook

Treaty Oak Distilling Ranch

Spirits: Bourbon, gin
After some brand streamlining over the past year, Treaty Oak’s beloved Fitzhugh Road location now concentrates on whiskey and gin spirits, along with its own craft beer. The tasting room offers flights of spirits or local wine ($10), along with a selection of a half-dozen cocktails ($8 to $12). Onsite restaurant Alice’s is open Thursday through Sunday with barbecue from pitmaster Scott Fogle (formerly of Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ) along with salads, sandwiches, and snacks.
Tours and tastings: Tasting room is open daily; tours are offered on Saturday at $15 per person

Treaty Oak Distilling Ranch in Dripping Springs
Treaty Oak Distilling Ranch
Treaty Oak Distilling Ranch/Facebook

Revolution Spirits Distilling Co.

Spirits: Gin, amaro
Part of the Fitzhugh Road drinks trail, Revolution is well worth a stop for its high-quality gin and its “cafecito” coffee liqueur made with Cuvee Coffee. Over a dozen cocktails ($3 to $8) and slushies ($12) are available from the bar. You’ll also find the occasional tasting room special of fruit liqueur flights done in partnership with neighbor Jester King Brewery.
Tours and tastings: Friday through Sunday; tours are available by request

Revolution Spirits Distilling Co.
Revolution Spirits Distilling Co.
Revolution Spirits Distilling Co./Facebook

Still Austin Whiskey Co.

Spirits: Whiskey, gin
After a long wait, Still Austin now has bourbon whiskey available, and the young upstart also pours other three whiskeys and a Texas rye gin. There are cocktails available ($10), and the beautiful facility has a large, sociable porch with lawn games. The distillery’s convenient location in the St. Elmo area is an easy trip, and both food trailer Soursop and coffee shop Spokesman are in the complex for post-visit snacks.
Tours and tastings: Thursday through Sunday, $15 to $40 per person

Still Austin Whiskey Co.
Still Austin Whiskey Co.
Still Austin Whiskey Co. [Official]

Garrison Brothers Distillery

Spirits: Whiskey
Book ahead for a “sit-and-sip” tour here in the quiet town of Hye. Tours are scheduled online ($10 per guest) and include a tour and tasting. Since opening the first legal Texas whiskey distillery in 2010, Garrison Brothers have won numerous awards. It remains focused solely on bourbon-style whiskey, with limited releases like Balmorhea (twice-barreled bourbon) and Estacado (port-finished bourbon) in high demand.
Tours and tastings: Wednesday through Sunday, by appointment only at $10 per person

San Luis Spirits

Spirits: Vodka, gin, bourbon
The scoop: One of Austin’s stalwart distillers, San Luis Spirits produces both Dripping Springs Vodka and Gin, as well as 1876 Vodka. The distillery offer ten tours per week, which includes a tasting and a shot glass, or regular tasting flights for $8. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, there are also cocktails utilizing its spirits.
Tours and tastings: Tasting room and tours Monday through Saturday; book in advance for tours at $16 per person

Dripping Springs Vodka’s distillery
Dripping Springs Vodka’s distillery
Dripping Springs Vodka/Facebook

Deep Eddy Vodka Distillery

Spirits: Vodka
Austin’s runaway hit spirit brand (owned by Kentucky whiskey giant Heaven Hill) pours four-flavor flights ($10) and fifteen craft cocktails ($7-$9) of its regular and flavored vodkas within a modern tasting room near Dripping Springs that expanded in spring 2019. Food trucks like Garbo’s are often onsite on weekends. Food bonus: on the way, those coming from Austin drive past Neapolitan pizza and pastrami spot Pieous and barbecue and Cajun restaurant the Switch, making for an excellent weekend doubleheader.
Tours and tastings: Thursday through Sunday

Deep Eddy Vodka’s tasting room
Deep Eddy Vodka’s tasting room
Deep Eddy Vodka/Facebook

Frog Pond Distillery

Spirits: Gin, vodka
The scoop: A newer distillery in the Dripping Springs area, Frog Pond is a casual spot serving up cocktails (for just $5) made with its pot still-produced gin and vodka. Vodka tonics, gin fizzes, and mules are usually available, along with rotating specials. Neat spirits samples are offered free of charge.
Tours and tastings: Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 7 p.m.

Frog Pond Distillery’s bottles
Frog Pond Distillery’s bottles
Frog Distillery/Facebook

Desert Door Distillery

Spirits: Sotol
The scoop: Desert Door has a welcoming tasting room with indoor and outdoor seating, lawn games, and a rotating menu of craft cocktails priced at $9 to $11. Neat copitas are available for $7. This is only four miles from Salt Lick, making for a great combination weekend road trip with friends.
Tours and tastings: Thursday through Sunday; tours available on Friday and Saturday at noon and 1 p.m., bookable in advance online

Desert Door Distillery’s tasting room
Desert Door Distillery’s tasting room
Desert Door Distillery/Facebook

Kooper Family Whiskey Co.

Spirits: Whiskey
Troy and Michelle Kooper produce three different whiskeys: a blended rye, a cask strength rye, and a small batch bourbon. The tasting room offers a flight of all three, and the band has attracted a strong cult following across Texas. 

Tours and tastings: Friday and Saturday, 2 to 7 p.m.; tastings from Tuesday through Thursday are available by advance appointment

Whiskey tasting at Kooper Family Whiskey Co.
Whiskey tasting at Kooper Family Whiskey Co.
Kooper Family Whiskey Co./Facebook

Crowded Barrel Whiskey Co

Spirits: Whiskey
The producers of the popular Whiskey Vault YouTube channel are behind this new spot near Salt Lick. Crowded Barrel produces some unconventional products: the Alliance series offers unusual barrels from out-of-state distillers, while the flagship Eleanor is cask strength MGP Indiana bourbon with a 75 percent corn mash bill.
Tours and tastings: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

The tasting room at Crowded Barrel Whiskey Co.
The tasting room at Crowded Barrel Whiskey Co.
Crowded Barrel Whiskey Co./Facebook

Stinson Distilling

Spirits: Vodka, rum, brandy
Also located near both Salt Lick and Desert Door, Driftwood’s Stinson Distilling makes small batches of a wide array of spirits and liqueurs.

Tours and tastings: Wednesday through Sunday; selected tastings are free of charge; group visits are encouraged (parties of six or more should call ahead)

Stinson Distilling’s shots
Stinson Distilling’s shots
Stinson Distilling/Facebook

Real Ale Brewing Company

Spirits: Gin, whiskey
After two decades in the beer business, Real Ale began working on a whiskey and gin program which launched in 2017. The distillery currently produces one gin and two whiskeys priced from $50 to $65 that are only sold at the taproom. (Cocktails are also available.)  It’s a fun Hill Country stop for those passing through Blanco, since you can also sample the excellent beers.
Tours and tastings: Wednesday through Sunday; to-go sales aren’t available on Sundays

Real Spirits Distilling Co. barrel
Real Spirits Distilling Co. barrel
Real Spirits Distillng Co./Facebook

Violet Crown

Spirits: Absinthe, cordials, liqueurs

This unconventional distillery is producing esoteric spirits in Bastrop — try the collaboration with downtown bar Midnight Cowboy, the Midnight Marigold, a bitter cordial, or accent a cocktail with the 140-proof Emerald Absinthe. There’s also a jasmine liqueur.

Tours and tastings: By request, call for details

Ben Milam Whiskey Distillery

Spirits: Whiskey

Ben Milam started by aging Tennessee and Kentucky whiskey, and has recently expanded with its Milam & Greene line, a triple-cask bourbon made from Hill Country and Tennessee spirits, and a port barrel-finished rye. 

Tours and tastings: Friday and Saturday; flights available for $10.50 to $17.50 per person

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