St. Augustine Distillery Options
There is no doubt that the St. Augustine Distillery is the most famous distillery in the longest-continuously inhabited European-founded city in the United States.
St. Augustine, Florida is home to three distilleries that produce the finest distilled spirits.
Whether you are seeking a distillery tour or looking to enjoy a spirit, a distillery will be the perfect spot for you.
However, if you are into beer, then these breweries in St. Augustine will serve you.
Here are the three distilleries in St. Augustine:
1. The St. Augustine Distillery
St. Augustine Distillery stands as a beacon of excellence in the Florida craft spirits landscape.
They recently commemorated a decade of pioneering spirits and community devotion.
It was established within a historic ice plant in November 2012 by co-founders Mike Diaz and Philip McDaniel and has become synonymous with innovation and tradition.
Their commitment to preserving history while embracing innovation has garnered widespread recognition, including prestigious awards for the restoration of their historic building.
Offering a diverse range of spirits, from Florida Cane Vodka to New World Gin and Pot Distilled Rum, the distillery’s crowning achievement came with the launch of ‘Florida Double Cask Bourbon,’ marking a milestone in Florida’s bourbon production.
Over the years, St. Augustine Distillery has expanded its portfolio to include multiple award-winning bourbons such as Florida Straight Bourbon, The Saint, and Port Finished Bourbon.
Beyond their exceptional spirits, the distillery is renowned for its immersive visitor experience, having been honored with accolades like ‘Best Whiskey Tour in North America’ and ‘Best Distillery Tour.’
CEO and co-founder Philip McDaniel credits the collective efforts of the team for enhancing Florida’s craft distilling scene and establishing the state as a producer of world-class bourbon.
To commemorate its 10th anniversary, St. Augustine Distillery released a highly exclusive 10-Year Anniversary Blend bourbon, showcasing the culmination of a decade of passion, innovation, and community commitment.
2. City Gate Spirits
City Gate Spirits, located in the heart of St. Augustine, is one of the distilleries in St. Augustine that allows for complimentary group tasting.
It is just adjacent to the historic City Gate landmark and gives you a unique opportunity to understand the artistry and craftsmanship of spirits production.
The distillery’s location, close to the iconic City Gate, serves as a reminder of St. Augustine’s legacy as the nation’s oldest city.
When you visit City Gate Spirits, you are taken through the whole production process from fermentation tanks to the bottling line.
After that, you get a complimentary group tasting, where you can sample a selection of the distillery’s signature flavors.
City Gate Spirits also serves as a community hub where locals and visitors can come together to share stories, forge connections, and celebrate the spirit of St. Augustine.
3. Sailbird Distilling Company
Sailbird Distilling, St. Augustine’s smallest distillery, crafts a variety of premium, handcrafted small-batch spirits; vodkas, gins, whiskeys, rums, and liqueurs.
They allow visitors to come in for a tour and tasting, where they can explore the facilities and sample spirits.
Sailbird Distilling focuses only on small-batch production, producing bourbon whiskey, rum made from Florida sugar cane, gin infused with local lemons, limes, and oranges, and premium liqueurs, including the popular coffee liqueur made with beans from St. Augustine’s own Kookaburra Coffee Company.
If instead, you are looking for a unique experience, specialty batches like Tennessee barrel-aged young whiskey, cabernet sauvignon barrel-aged vodka, and vodka infused with datil peppers for a spicy kick will do it for you.
One thing I love about Sailbird Distilling company is that they offer barrel-aging service, where they allow you to age your preferred spirit in a new five-gallon barrel at their facility for up to two years.
Conclusion
In summary, St. Augustine, Florida, has three awesome distilleries to explore. Each one offers tasty drinks and a unique experience.
From St. Augustine Distillery with its rich history to City Gate Spirits near the famous City Gate, and Sailbird Distilling, the city’s smallest distillery, you’ll find a range of flavors to enjoy.
So next time you’re in St. Augustine, be sure to visit these distilleries for a taste of Florida’s finest spirits and a glimpse into the city’s heritage.
If you are visiting St. Augustine and want to make the best out of your visit, then here are the: