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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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)

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

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