Texas is quickly becoming a hub for craft spirits, with more and more and more Texas distilleries popping up throughout the Lone Star State. From the windy roads of Hill Country to the bustling port cities along the coast, Texas distilleries are producing some of the most unique and exciting spirits in the world. From small-batch bourbon and whiskey to award-winning rums and agave-based spirits, Texas distillers are making their mark on the craft spirits industry.
They’re sourcing locally grown ingredients from family farms, utilizing traditional production methods passed down through generations, and experimenting with new techniques to create unique flavors. With so many options to choose from, there’s something for everyone when it comes to discovering Texas’ finest whiskeys, bourbons, rums, gins, vodkas and liqueurs. Whether you’re looking for an old favorite or exploring a new craft spirit category altogether, you’ll find it at one of these award-winning Texas distilleries.
The fun part is you can visit many of these Texas distilleries’ taprooms and tasting rooms and try out their selections in a fun social setting.
Distilleries Around Austin, Texas
Kooper Family Whiskey Co.
Dripping Springs
This family owned distillery was the creation of a husband and wife team who worked for 2 years to come up with a recipe that incorporated organic rye and emphasizes bold and peppery flavors. They have a recently awarded gold medal to prove the work paid off.
Argus Cindery
Austin
Fermenting the apple with a European spin is the creation of the Argus Cidery, Austin’s first cider house. They make tanin rich, dry ciders that you have the opportunity to try flights of four ciders plus a sparkling version of a Mexican pineapple alcohol called Tepache.
Revolution Spirits
Austin
The Revolution Spirits property is shared with Argus Cidery and Last Stand Brewery and the owners hope to partner with as many other local companies as it can. It uses Cuvee beans for the cafecito coffee spirit and pulped fruit from Jester King. Its stronger spirits is the 100 proof Austin Reserve Gin, made by peeling grapefruits to use in the botanical blend.
Deep Eddy Distillery
Dripping Springs
Deep Eddy Vodka, named after the Deep Eddy Pool in Austin which is the oldest spring fed swimming pool in Texas, is the fastest growing spirits in the country. The distillery is a great outdoor drinking destination and has a serious cocktail list. Many love the High Dive Lemonade that comes in a take home mason jar.
Desert Door Distillery
Driftwood
Did you know Sotol was the first alcoholic beverage ever consumed in Texas? It came from the Sotol plant (or “Desert Spoon” plant) which is native to Northern Mexico and West Texas. This young company revere the ancient ways of those desert natives and have created some core ingredients, craft cocktails and more. Enjoy!
Distilleries In The Texas Hill Country
Treaty Oak Distilling
Dripping Springs
The “talented team of rebels have a clear cause – to make the best spirits that purposefully break from convention in order to create something new, or even curious”. The 28-acre property in Dripping Springs is now open for food and beverage service, as well live music, a Cocktail Lab, and room for the ever expanding whiskey and gin production.
Garrison Distillery
Hye
Garrison is the first and oldest legal whiskey distiller in Texas. Jim Murray, in his 2014 Whiskey Bible, named Garrison’s Cowboy Bourbon “American Micro Whiskey of the Year”. Their ingredients are definitely home grown from the plump yellow corn to the winter wheat. They grind the grain daily and cook their own sweet mash. Take a tour of this unique facility.
Distilleries In Waco, Texas
Balcones Distillery
Waco
Balcones has a portfolio full of award-winning blended Texas whiskeys. Their idea to create something authentic and original in 2008 became a reality in 2009 in a quaint old welding shop. In 2011 they moved to a 65,000 sq ft facility which was 25 times larger than that original building. In 2016 they opened the doors and have tours of their distillery. Their spirits are award winning for their bold and intense flavor. Without a doubt, Balcones is one of the best Texas distilleries.
Andalusia Whiskey Company
Blanco
With their combined backgrounds in brewing, chemistry, biology, culinary arts, and restaurant management, Tommy and Ty, friends and former brewery workers decided to enter into the world of whiskey. The ambiance is said to be classy casual with a great reading room in the back.
Real Spirits Distilling Company
Blanco
All Real Spirits at Real Spirits Distilling Company start with a foundation of Real Ale beer. Their Real Ale’s Devil’s Backbone Belgian-style Tripel and the award-winning Real Heavy Scotch Ale are used to make their signature and single barrel whiskey, and White, a Belgian-style wheat ale, is the base beer for our gin. They make all Real Spirits liquors grain-to-glass: brewed, fermented, aged, bottled, and served on-site.
Distilleries In The Dallas / Fort Worth Area
Ironroot Republic Distillery
Denison
Likarishe brothers opened the distillery in 2014 with the help of their mother who manages the business. The Likarishes mash, ferment, distill, barrel-age and bottle on site in Denison. The spirits are made using high quality heirloom and non-GMO corn from local farms to capture the authentic flavor of north Texas.
Deep Ellum Distillery
Dallas
Deep Ellum Distillery is a small-batch spirit maker in the heart of Deep Ellum, Texas. Deep Ellum is mostly associated with its award-winning All-Purpose Vodka, the distillery also has Texas-Certified whiskey. The tasting room features their world-class award winning vodka brand along with signature cocktails & over 16 rotating all natural infusions! Deep Ellum is the perfect place to visit on a Friday or Saturday afternoon with a lot of board games and great music.
Firestone & Robertson’s TX Whiskey Ranch
Fort Worth
The founders started out as friends and soon discovered they had the same passion for distilling whiskey. They are excited about the exceptional whiskey they are distilling. Learn how they create them and try a sample of each delicious product. They are the first craft bourbon and whiskey distillery in North Texas.
Distilleries In The Houston Area
Gulf Coast Distillers
Houston
Gulf Coast Distillers are committed to using only the grains from Texas collaborating with local farmers to harvest the best ingredients to create their award winning spirits. They have been honored with a Double Gold for their Giant 91 Proof Special Reserve Whiskey at the San Francisco World Spirits competition.
MKT Distillery
Katy
The MKT railroad and K-T train depot are the history and heritage of Katy and that is why they chose the name and hope that they establish themselves as “Katy’s Own”.The importance of rice to the Katy community in this iconic place is why they decided to distill their products here.
San Antonio Distilleries
Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling
San Antonio
Ranger Creek has award winning Texas bourbon, single malt and rye whiskey. All of their spirits are grain-to-glass made in small batches. Ranger Creek’s intimate industrial atmosphere, handcrafted beer and cocktails is perfect for entertaining 10-250 guests. They also provide tours where you will learn how to make bourbon. Their tasting room is a great way to experience the beer, whiskey, and handcrafted cocktails.
If you are looking for a more immersive Texas distillery experience, check out the Texas Whiskey Trail and Texas Whiskey Festival, both created to let you experience Texas whiskey to the fullest.
Author: Simon Trask
Simon loves Texas and the Great Outdoors. From East Texas pines to West Texas mountains, he calls North Texas home but is always ready to float a river in Hill Country or go fishing on the Gulf Coast. Simon loves camping and road trips as well, whether it's cruising Highway 287, 82, 69 or 281, that's the true way to see what Texas is all about!
