Courtesy Lost Spirits Distillery
When visiting distilleries, great drinks are undoubtedly important, but so are the experiences.
WORDS Yolanda Evans
It can be amazing to visit the place where a favorite spirit is made, but after checking out a few distilleries, the unfortunate reality is that tours can become dull and begin to blend together. The gist is you listen to the history of so and so spirit from an engaging tour guide, get a tasting and then somehow end up in the gift shop where you can buy drinkable souvenirs. But in the last few years, there’s been a great shift in distilleries creating more appealing visitor experiences—from mixology classes to shows and festivals, unique offerings make it easier for guests to retain product knowledge and maintain a lasting connection to it. Foodies have fantastic food tours, so why can’t distilleries be a bit more enjoyable for booze lovers? Here are six spirited brands that are doing it right.
Courtesy St. Nicholas Abbey
St. Nicholas Abbey
St. Peter, Barbados
Rum has a long, dark history in Barbados, as this vibrant island is considered the birthplace of this spirit. And at St. Nicholas Abbey, not only are they interested in teaching visitors about rum, but about Barbadian history and culture as well. The Heritage Railway, Great House and Rum Tour starts with a steam engine trip around the plantation grounds up to Cherry Hill. The guided tour of the Abbey Great House and the distillery is where visitors learn about the harsh realities of life of the enslaved people who lived here, rum and how it’s all entwined.
Lost Spirits Distillery
Las Vegas, Nevada
This one-of-a-kind destination is often described as the Willy Wonka factory of the distillery world, or an adult Disneyland for liquor. Founded in 2010, Lost Spirits Distillery closed up its Los Angeles shop in 2020 and relocated to Las Vegas to open a boozy circus with acrobats, contortionists and singers all within a working distillery. Debuting in 2021, the Las Vegas distillery “tour” is truly an immersive theatre—guests interact with the cast as they roam around the different rooms such as the Jazz and Submarine Lounge, all while sipping on drinks and learning about rum for about two hours. The distillery even offers a 16-course fine-dining experience at the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea dining room.
Courtesy Lost Spirits Distillery
Courtesy Arran Whiskey Festival
Arran Whisky Festival
Arran Island, Scotland
There’s no better way to learn about whisky than a three-day festival from the makers of Arran whisky. Centered around the island’s two distilleries, Lochranza and Lagg, The Arran Whisky Festival–Malt and Music is an event that would appeal to a newbie or a connoisseur alike, so long as you’re seriously down to increase your whisky knowledge, and intake. Engross yourself in all things related to whisky from assorted masterclasses to tasting specially released casks, or hit the rare whisky bar for an extra special dram or two you aren’t likely to find anywhere else.
The Distillery
London, United Kingdom
Sip on a tasty G&T at London’s only gin hotel, The Distillery. Created by Portobello Road Distillery, this unique, four-floor destination for drink lovers features a working distillery, three beautiful guest rooms, an off-license shop, two bars, a museum and a host of unique experiences, from the Gin Masterclass and Chronicles of the Martini to the James Bond Experience, a food and drink delight inspired by 007 and creator Ian Fleming. Also within these booze-inspired halls is the Ginstitute, a gin-making class with the aim of educating visitors on the rich history and cultural significance of the spirit and how it’s ever-evolving. The best part? Guests get to make their own gin to take home as a boozy souvenir.
Courtesy The Distillery
Courtesy Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker Princes Street
Edinburgh, Scotland
While it’s not the whisky’s primary distillation facility, the main goal of this location is to teach visitors about the famed Johnnie Walker and his spirits. The Journey of Flavor Experience is a full-sensory 90-minute tour that combines whisky and a bevy of multimedia light shows with a live performance to tell the story of JW. The tour also includes a flavor quiz to match each guest’s profile with whisky cocktails adapted to their unique tastebuds. Other experiences include Stir at the Explorers’ Bothy, a mixology-forward session, or the Whisky Makers’ Cellar, a premium tasting experience in the underground cellar.
Copal Tree Distillery
Punta Gorda, Belize
Located on a sustainable farm in the Southern Belize jungle, Copal Tree Distillery, which produces Copalli Rums, is one place where guests can learn about not only rum but also how a farm-to-flask program supports local agriculture. The distillery tour starts with a trip to the cane fields, where visitors harvest their own organic sugarcane so they can truly understand the rum-making process from beginning to end. And if you want to be extra nerdy, there’s also a two-hour mixology class offered so you can upgrade your rum-based cocktail-making game.
Courtesy Copal Tree Distillery
This article was published in the Spring 2024 issue of Full Pour. Don’t own it? Pick one up today!