Embark on an unforgettable journey this summer by exploring some of the world’s most remarkable distilleries! At these six exceptional distilleries, both domestic and international, you can enjoy experiences showcasing spirits crafted with passion and precision.
From the rolling hills of Kentucky to the vibrant landscapes of Ireland and the lush terroirs of the Caribbean, these distilleries provide not only a taste of exquisite beverages but also a deep dive into the heritage and innovation behind their creation.
Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer, these distilleries promise enriching tours, exclusive tastings, and a glimpse into the art of spirit-making.
Jeptha Creed Distillery
Jeptha Creed, owned by the mother-daughter duo Joyce and Autumn Nethery, stands out with its award-winning spirits crafted from farm-grown heirloom corn and malted grains. Using traditional techniques, this distillery offers a genuine bourbon experience. The distillery is located at Shelbyville, which is an essential stop on the Bourbon Trail. Known for its rich history, charming downtown, and quintessential Southern hospitality, Shelbyville offers a unique blend of small-town charm and world-class bourbon experiences.
Opt for the Barrel Room Tasting, a unique journey starting at Jeptha Creed’s picturesque farmland. Enjoy an intimate setting in their barrel barns, where a passionate host shares the distillery’s story, culminating in a personalized tasting straight from the barrel. Leave with their motto ‘Ne Oublie’ – don’t forget where you came from. Enjoy bourbon in leather recliners straight from the source.
No visit is complete without dining at Jeptha Creed’s on-site restaurant. Here, guests can savor farm-to-table cuisine that perfectly complements the distillery’s spirits. The menu features locally sourced ingredients and offers a variety of dishes that highlight the flavors of Kentucky.
While bourbon is the star, families can explore the scenic grounds, take part in educational tours, and enjoy the distillery’s welcoming environment. One of the highlights of the summer season at Jeptha Creed is the Jammin’ at Jeptha concert series. Set against the backdrop of the beautiful distillery grounds, this concert series provides an unforgettable evening of music, community, and, of course, bourbon.
Location: Shelbyville, Kentucky. Official website here.
O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company
O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is renowned for its dedication to crafting exceptional whiskey, particularly its flagship Keeper’s Heart Whiskey. Founded by cousins Patrick and Michael O’Shaughnessy, the distillery aims to bridge the rich traditions of Irish whiskey with the innovative spirit of American distillation techniques.
O’Shaughnessy Distilling prides itself on a blend of old-world craftsmanship and modern innovation. Their state-of-the-art distillery features copper pot stills imported from Ireland and a sophisticated column still, allowing them to create a wide range of spirits. Master Distiller Brian Nation, previously with Jameson, brings a wealth of expertise and a commitment to quality that is evident in every bottle.
O’Shaughnessy Distilling offers guided tours that provide a comprehensive look at their whiskey-making process, from grain to glass. Guests can enjoy tastings of their diverse offerings and learn about the intricate details of distillation. The distillery also features a welcoming bar and lounge area where visitors can relax and savor their spirits in a comfortable setting.
Special experiences, whiskey workshops, cocktail blending classes, and private tastings are also available, making O’Shaughnessy Distilling a dynamic destination for whiskey lovers.
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota. Official website here.
Sagamore Distillery
Sagamore Spirit Distillery, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is a distinguished name in the world of rye whiskey. Founded with a mission to revive Maryland’s rich heritage of rye whiskey production, Sagamore Spirit is committed to crafting exceptional spirits that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
The distillery is named after the Sagamore Farm, a historic horse breeding farm owned by Kevin Plank, the founder of Under Armour. With its picturesque waterfront location, state-of-the-art facilities, and dedication to quality, Sagamore Spirit has quickly become a prominent player in the American whiskey landscape.
Visitors to Sagamore Spirit Distillery can enjoy an experience that includes guided tours, tastings, and a deeper understanding of the whiskey-making process. The distillery’s beautiful waterfront campus features a modern production facility, a spacious tasting room, and a welcoming atmosphere. Special events, whiskey workshops, and private tastings are also offered, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in American whiskey. Sagamore Spirit’s dedication to quality, innovation, and heritage shines through in every bottle, cementing its reputation as a leading producer of exceptional rye whiskey.
Location: Baltimore, Maryland. Official website here.
Waterford Whisky Distillery
Waterford Whisky is on a quest to unearth whisky’s most natural flavors. Unashamedly influenced by the world’s greatest winemakers, Waterford Distillery brings the same intellectual drive, methodology, and rigor to unearth the nuances that make Waterford Whisky the most profound single malt ever created.
Across southern Ireland, warmed by the Gulf Stream, temperate, moist air crosses fertile soils to produce a verdant landscape and the world’s finest barley. Since barley is the source of malt whisky’s complex flavors, it makes abundant sense to focus on where and how the barley is cultivated. Those flavors are shaped by place, by the soils that nourish its roots, and by the microclimate in which it ripens. By terroir. Waterford is a whisky of the world, born of Irish barley.
The private terroir tour showcases how Waterford creates its terroir-driven whisky. For the most curious drinkers of all, who want to delve even deeper, choices vary from cuvée concept masterclass to a tour of the tasting room that houses casks from every one of their distillations to date.
Visiting the distillery in Ireland, a paradise for whiskey enthusiasts, you will boast a rich heritage and a growing number of innovative distilleries. The country’s whiskey trail is a journey through lush landscapes, historic towns, and vibrant cities, each offering unique experiences and world-class whiskies. Beyond the distilleries, it is also a journey through breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage. From the rugged cliffs of the Wild Atlantic Way to the rolling green hills of the Midlands, the scenery is as captivating as the whiskey. Along the way, visitors can explore charming villages, ancient castles, and vibrant cities, each with its own unique charm and history.
Location: Waterford, Ireland. Official website here.
Renegade Rum Distillery
Renegade Rum is a game-changing rum distillery located in Grenada, using fresh sugar cane juice rather than generic molasses (a by-product of sugar production), grown on the diverse terroirs of Grenada in the Caribbean. We began producing our first spirit in the autumn of 2020. The cane plant, rum’s primary raw ingredient, is the natural source of its flavor. Thus, the land on which it grows & its microclimate determines its character. Therefore, we choose to explore the terroirs of Grenada – one place, one farm, at a time.
The distillery provides guided tours into its quest to create the world’s most profound rum. Join us at the distillery for a tour around the site and an education in our unique production process. You’ll be welcomed by a sea of sugarcane, and at its heart, find one of the rum industry’s most innovative and technologically advanced distilleries. You will commence your exploration of the extraordinary set up that facilitates the creation of the terroir-driven, pure cane juice rum by walking through the entirety of the production process from cane to cask. Upon completion of the tour, you’ll have no doubt work up a thirst so to finish your visit, you will get to taste the fruits of labor and experience Renegade Rum!
Location: Grenada, Caribbean. Official website here.
Photo credits: Courtesy of Colangelo Partners
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Mary Jo Manzanares is a founder and the editor-in-chief of The Traveler’s Way, an online travel magazine proving informational and inspirational travel recommendations for curious Baby Boomer travelers. She has been a speaker at various industry events and has a personal travel blog at Traveling with MJ. When she’s not traveling, Mary Jo likes lingering over a cup of coffee, wandering in a museum, sipping wine at a cafe, and sharing it all with friends and readers. Mary Jo’s top travel destinations are Italy, Portugal, and the Caribbean.